Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has said the SNP must toughen proceeds of crime laws to “turn the tables” on drug gangs and tackle violence.
At First Minister’s Questions, Findlay raised recent gangland murders and acts of violence across Scotland and abroad.
He said the Scottish Parliament has failed to tackle organised crime since devolution began.
Findlay called for the SNP to reverse cuts to police office numbers, ditch under-25 sentencing guidelines, and toughen proceeds of crime laws.
The Scottish Conservative leader cited the views of frontline officers who say a decline in the numbers of community police officers has helped criminal gangs, and that sentencing guidelines are making young people even more vulnerable to exploitation.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Organised crime is out of control and communities are living in fear.
“I got into politics because I could not understand why so many politicians don’t talk about the malevolent reach and devastating harm of organised crime.
“Since devolution began, the Scottish Parliament has failed to tackle organised crime in Scotland.
“Under successive SNP and Labour governments, organised crime is rarely on the agenda. It wasn’t even mentioned in this government’s flagship five-year justice strategy.
“The SNP government’s decision to reduce police numbers will inevitably fuel organised crime and must be reversed.
“Senior Police Scotland officers say that the under-25 sentencing guidelines are part of the problem. They’re making young people even more vulnerable to exploitation. John Swinney must rethink them.
“Criminals and their white-collar enablers no longer fear proceeds of crime laws. According to the Crown Office, one drug dealer made more than £126 million but they can only find £118,000 worth of assets.
“Proceeds of Crime needs an urgent and radical overhaul. We need to turn the tables on the drug gangs. John Swinney must toughen this legislation to make it fit to tackle crime in 2025 and beyond.”