You’r e nicked
SHOPPERS LOOK ON IN HORROR AS COPS NAB KNIFE THUG
Gavin McInally
This is the moment brave cops decked a blade-carrying thug before disarming him in Paisley High Street.
Police chiefs last night released the image – which shows the thug being pinned to the ground as stunned shoppers look on – following a spike in knife crime in the town.
Since January this year, a total of 33 offences involving a weapon have been recorded in the town.
However, cops are concerned that almost a third of those incidents have
happened in the past few weeks, alongside a rise in violent attacks.
Chief Inspector Martin Gallagher, who is based in Mill Street, said: “We are carrying out additional patrols and targeting repeat knife crime offenders due to a recent spike in violent crime and weapon carrying.
“As a result of this proactive policing, a number of people have been found in possession of weapons.
“From January of this year there have been a total of 33 offences committed involving weapons within the Paisley area and a recent spike has seen nine incidents involving the carrying and use of knives.
“Through the use of intelligence led policing and additional patrols a number of persons have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
“This has resulted in a number of offenders being released on strict bail conditions or remanded in prison awaiting trial.”
The area commander added: “We will not tolerate the carrying or use of offensive weapons within the community. Attitudes towards weapon carrying needs to change.
“We work closely with partner agencies, schools and community groups to get the message out to young people about the implications of becoming involved in the carrying of weapons.
“The safety of the public is paramount and it is my intention to continue with the zero tolerance approach to the carrying or use of offensive weapons.”
Members of the public are asked to report anyone they believe is carrying a weapon.
Paisley police can be contacted on 101.