Campaign Gains Momentum: Meeting with Collette Stevenson MSP Advances Knife Crime Prevention Plans In Scottish Parliment

In a productive meeting last week, The Community Impact Project and Collette Stevenson MSP came together to reinforce and expand the “End Knife Crime & Support the Youth” campaign across East Kilbride—and beyond. The session affirmed shared goals around prevention, community involvement, and policy change.

Building on Early Intervention and Outreach
MSP Stevenson emphasised the vital role of early intervention programmes, highlighting the success of Police Scotland’s presence in schools as well as the efforts of Medics Against Violence. These initiatives help young people understand the consequences of violence and provide fresh perspectives rooted in lived experience.

Solidarity with Affected Families
We marked the tragic loss of Kayden Moy with a moment of shared sorrow. Stevenson offered her deep condolences to Kayden’s family and friends, expressing solidarity with all touched by knife crime. This tragic event reinforces the urgency of collective action.

Addressing Vigilante Concerns and Public Funding
A key point of discussion focused on growing public frustration, with some parents contemplating creating vigilante groups. Stevenson cautioned against this dangerous trend, urging instead that increased funding be directed toward established prevention schemes and youth services, safeguarding the community while avoiding escalation.

Youth Violence Summit – Inclusion and Commitment
We raised our disappointment at not being invited to the recent Youth Violence Summit, where discussions centred on allocating additional funds toward prevention and early intervention. Although the summit produced promising commitments, our absence highlighted a gap in grassroots representation. MSP Stevenson took note, stressing her intent to ensure the campaign’s inclusion in future national discussions.

Data Transparency and Accountability
Stevenson has been briefed by Police Scotland, who confirmed no current gang activity in East Kilbride, though knife crime remains a concern. She has committed to submitting a Freedom of Information request for detailed local data—monthly crime levels, ages, and circumstances—to inform targeted intervention strategies. This follows our shared belief that evidence-based action is central to success.

Commitment to Ongoing Support and Collaboration
MSP Stevenson reaffirmed her active engagement with child protection, safeguarding bodies, Police Scotland, and local councils. She pledged to lend her voice within the Scottish Parliament to champion campaign initiatives, including engaging councillors and government officials at national, regional, and local levels.

Grassroots Support in Schools
She praised grassroots organisations like Men with Issues that deliver impactful presentations in schools and welcomed our offer to be involved ahead of the summer break. Our team is preparing sessions to run in local schools, backed by Stevenson’s enthusiastic endorsement.

Scottish Parliament:
During the meeting, Stevenson detailed the proposed Members’ Bill by Liz Smith MSP – We could not find this and currently As of July 2025, no current Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament is specifically focused on knife crime. The government’s actions in this area have primarily been driven through executive and regulatory measures, not individual MSP-led legislation.

We discussed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) reporting in schools. ACEs encompass trauma such as abuse, neglect, or household instability linked to future mental health challenges, substance misuse, and criminality. The bill proposes routine screening, training for teachers, and increased funding for school-based social work—elements we wholeheartedly support as preventative measures.

Community Engagement and Council Participation
Both Stevenson and our team agreed that community councils are underutilised and underfunded. We discussed strategies to expand constituent engagement—creating more active, inclusive forums where young people, families, and local leaders can shape prevention efforts together.

Next Steps and Future Collaboration
As the meeting concluded—amidst MSP Stevenson’s busy constituency schedule and her team’s familiar presence, complete with beloved dogs—we reflected on what had been a deeply encouraging dialogue. With shared commitment and strategic coordination, we are preparing for:

• Submission and analysis of FOI data
• Early planning of school-based outreach before summer recess
• A more prominent role for the campaign in future national roundtables
• Support for the ACEs legislation and related early support tools
• Continued liaison with councils, police, safeguarding bodies, and the Scottish Government

We look forward to our next meeting and to continuing this vital collaboration on behalf of East Kilbride, Glasgow, and Scottish youth. With MSP Stevenson’s support, we are more determined than ever to advance from advocacy to action—and build a safer, stronger future together.

Article By KJ Yates – Chief Executive

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We are committed to ensuring that every voice is heard in this campaign. If you are an organisation, family, individual, or someone directly or indirectly affected by knife crime, we invite you to share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas. Please email us at EK@thecommunityimpact.co.uk or comment below. You can also submit an article or news piece for consideration via the same email. Your insight is vital in shaping a response that truly reflects the needs of our communities. Together, we can build a safer future.