# Why Drug Laws Aren't Working — A Former Detective's Take

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/crime-time-inc-6621363/why-drug-laws-aren-t-working-a-former-detective-s-take
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/crime-time-inc-6621363/why-drug-laws-aren-t-working-a-former-detective-s-take.md
Podcast: [Crime Time Inc](https://stenobird.com/podcast/crime-time-inc-6621363)
Published: 2026-03-08T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/crime-time-inc/episodes/scotlands-violence-reduction-success
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/64f1fe0ba21165001136d51e/e/69ab4033c2eb2fc3ab4a0b55/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/crime-time-inc-6621363/episodes/why-drug-laws-aren-t-working-a-former-detective-s-take
Duration seconds: 3130

## Resource

Knife Crime Rumours, Sub Judice Rules, and Scotland’s Violence Reduction Success Simon and Tom discuss a daylight knife incident in Edinburgh’s Calders that sparked widespread online misinformation, prompting Police Scotland to issue rare clarifications while constrained by sub judice rules; Tom explains how the Contempt of Court Act and Lord Advocate’s guidelines limit pretrial commentary to protect fair trials. They compare “perp walk” publicity with Scottish practice, including WWII-era German spy arrests in Scotland where press photos prevented the suspects being turned into double agents and led to executions. The conversation turns to emergency-service responses to knife incidents and the balance between waiting for specialist support and the duty to protect life. They cover Ian Huntley’s prison assault and how the Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman murders exposed failures in intelligence-sharing about dangerous offenders. Tom highlights the Violence Reduction Unit’s 20-year impact, noting murders fell from 137 in 2005 to 47, and argues its public-health approach could inform drug policy amid rising lethal synthetics. They also touch on citizen’s arrest/self-defence, skepticism about “international law,” and football-related disorder. 00:00 Cold Open Banter 00:16 Edinburgh Knife Incident 01:36 Misinformation And Police Response 02:58 Sub Judice Explained 05:14 Perp Walk And Spy Photos 09:07 Emergency Services And Risk 14:53 Ian Huntley Case Lessons 18:42 Violence Reduction Unit Success 23:22 Drug Laws And Public Health 26:26 Root Causes Not Choices 26:42 Football As Diversion 29:03 Community Clubs Origins 30:14 Boxing And Discipline 33:37 PR Spin And Distractions 35:39 VRU Principles And Praise 37:44 Vigilantes And Self Defence 40:20 International Law Skepticism 46…

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## Transcript

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