I can't speak for my Northern Irish, Welsh or English colleagues, Scottish law is very different to the rest of the UK, but there are many things that we share. The knife legislation as afore mentioned is one of them; a folding blade of no more than three inches in length and does not lock open. Should you have just reason for having something bigger about your person, then that's fine too. This legislation has made a huge difference in the prevention of violent crime in Scotland, and the conviction rates have shown proof in the pudding.
As far as the other incidents that have been discussed here, I would be interested to read the entries that the reporting officers put on their own incident recording systems. I expect that those entries paint a slightly different picture to the ones which were portrayed by the media, often it all comes down to the way it's told. For instance, from my own beat;
Fact: 66 year old man is arrested outside his own house for being in possession of a knife with a two and a half inch blade.
This sentence is short and entirely true. However, how it is embroidered and understood is entirely in the hands of the publisher and most importantly the reader. Obviously there is more to the statement which isn't being revealed.
I expect that the majority of us here are mature enough to realise the UK Police forces are often caught between a rock and a hard place and suffer a level of scrutiny which is almost unique in its intensity. That said, inevitably, mistakes will be made and apologies must be offered where required.
I hope that my friends here can appreciate that on the whole, discretion is exercised where it can be. I have no desire to make criminals out of people, and I expect my colleagues feel the same. Unfortunately, it is easier to stab someone with a knife than without one.
If you are in disagreement with me then that's fine, different opinions are where democracy thrives, but I won't reply to Police bashing. I am proud to serve, I work hard and I treat people fairly and with dignity. I like traditional pocket knives, but I always use them within the confines of the law that society has written. I must respect the decisions of the majority no matter my own idiosyncrasies.
Paul
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