Forces in new appeal on violence

Parents and community groups will be asked to work with police forces in tackling violence during the latest phase of the Safer Scotland campaign.

The plan, which is being co-ordinated by the Violence Reduction Unit, aims to address knife carrying, binge drinking and gang violence.

Police said they hope to build "local alliances" to tackle violence and find "innovative solutions".

Officers said there would be a drive to urge parents to prevent violence.

In the east end of Glasgow, Loki - a Glasgow rap artist - said he understood why many young people ended up involved in a cycle of violence.

He said one of his friends had been stabbed last year.

"It's a certain type of person with a certain type of mentality that would carry a knife in the first place, and luckily I don't really hang around with people like that," he said.