A six week pilot was announced yesterday by the Scottish Government that caught the attention of Sonal, our Peer Education Co-ordinator who is working in partnership with the No Knives Better Lives initiative. The pilot will see people caught in possession of a knife in public over the festive period automatically tried via solemn procedure (with a jury). This means that courts will have the power to impose a sentence of up to four years imprisonment, rather than the 12 months maximum sentence held by prosecution via summary procedure.  The Scotsman quoted Kenny Macaskill as saying on the new pilot "Tackling knife crime is an absolute priority for this government and we have made clear that Scotland's prosecutors and the courts have my full backing in using the full force of the law to punish anyone who carries or uses a knife".

He is also quoted saying "We believe the key to tackling knife crime is a combination of tough enforcement on the streets, backed by education".  This education element is at the heart of Fast Forward's role in the initiative, as we will be providing peer education training throughout Scotland to young people who are at the heart of this topical issue.