Scottish Government back calls to enjoy beaches safely
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown, who is also MSP for Ayr, said there is "no reason" to take a knife to the beach.
The Scottish Government is backing calls for people to enjoy Ayrshire 's beaches safely and responsibly.
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said the government was supporting the move and called for parents and carers to speak with their young people in a bid to reduce knife crime.
Ms Brown, who represents Ayr at the Scottish Parliament, is also one of four Ayrshire MSPs who represent costal communities.
Following an enquiry from Ayrshire Live, Ms Brown said: 'The recent events that took place on Irvine Beach and Portobello Beach were absolutely shattering for the families of those involved.
'We want everyone enjoying our beautiful beaches to feel safe. There is no reason to carry a weapon of any kind.
'Following these tragic events, I would urge everyone in Scotland, please speak to your young people and encourage them to never carry a knife.'
First Minister John Swinney has also spoken about the incidents at Irvine Beach and said that the Scottish Government was focused on creating responsible citizens in Scotland.
At First Minister Questions on Thursday, in response to a question from Conservative leader Russell Findlay, Mr Swinney said: "First of all, Presiding Officer, I want to express my sympathy to the family of Kayden Moy. It is a tragedy that they are having to come to terms with and one incident is one incident too many.
"The disorder and the violence at Irvine Beach and at Portobello was totally unacceptable.
"I repeat, one incident is one incident too many and we will act to eradicate such incidents."
In response to a question from Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Mr Swinney added: "Since 2008/09, there's been a 69 per cent decrease in emergency hospital admissions due to assault with a sharp object. Over time, Scottish society has become safer at the very time we have undertaken reform of the police service.
"Recorded crime data shows there has been a 55 per cent fall in attempted murder and serious murder, with homicides at a near record low in our society."
He added: "One incident is absolutely unacceptable and devastating, so I don't diminish that at all. But overall, Scottish society is safer today than it was before we created Police Scotland."
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