East Kilbride MP urges ministers to 'get tough' on knife crime after death of Kayden Moy

Daily Record

08-07-2025

Joani Reid is pressing ministers to get tough with social media companies who let teens pose with dangerous weapons.
East Kilbride's MP has called on ministers to "get tough" with social media companies who allow teens to pose with dangerous weapons while highlighting the tragic death of Kayden Moy.
Describing social media as a "breeding ground for youth violence", Joani Reid, Scottish Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, said she would make knife crime a focus of her campaigning and constituency work over the summer.
‌
At Home Office questions yesterday, she raised the tragic and shocking death of 16-year-old East Kilbride boy Kayden Moy, who died after being allegedly stabbed at Irvine Beach on May 17.
‌
Download the Lanarkshire Live app today
The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.
Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.
The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.
Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android
Three teenagers have been arrested following Kayden's death. Two 17-year-olds and a 14-year-old have appeared in court charged with murder.
The MP is now pressing ministers to get tough with social media companies who let teens pose with dangerous weapons.
She said the police claim they are powerless to take any action.
Joani Reid said: 'Kayden's death was a tragedy for his family and a shock to the whole of East Kilbride. The worrying fact is that knife crime is rising across Scotland, even in schools, and we need to mobilise as a community to bring it under control.
‌
'I have been sent numerous videos by concerned and frightened constituents of boys and young men posing in their bedrooms with dangerous knifes and blades.
"The social media companies refuse to act, and the police say they have not got the power to act. But there can be no excuses for doing nothing when we all know this bravado leads on to violence.
‌
'I will use the summer weeks to press social media companies, public authorities and the Scottish government to get their act together on knife crime and to insist we get real action and not more excuses.'
The shocking tragedy has prompted local charities and community groups to help educate young people and urge open conversations with teens about crime.
East Kilbride Neighbourhood Watch & Community Impact Project have petitioned South Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland to urgently address the rise in knife crime and youth violence in East Kilbride.
‌
Campaigners are calling for a local task force on knife crime prevention to be set up, early intervention and education in schools and youth clubs and more visible and engaged neighbourhood policing.
More than 1800 people have signed the petition and an anti-knife crime march in Glasgow on Sunday stepped up their fight for urgent action on the country's knife crime and youth violence epidemic.
Sign the petition here.