Smith announces new plans to tackle gun crime
The Home Secretary has outlined new proposals to help combat gun and knife crime among young people, following a spate of shootings involving teenagers this year.
Jacqui Smith confirmed to BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show there was a “particular problem” with teenage gang violence that needed to be addressed.
As part of plans to tackle the problem, Ms Smith announced she would be putting together a “national dedicated unit” led by the deputy chief constable of Merseyside Police John Murphy.
In addition to this, a “ministerial taskforce” will be assembled to support police forces in parts of the country such as Manchester and Birmingham where problems are particularly acute.
Ms Smith said the taskforce would use specific intelligence to attempt to identify gun suppliers and “get gang leaders off the streets”.
She indicated growing cooperation between the Serious Organised Crime Agency and border agencies was needed to cut the supply of guns to problem areas.
Pinpointing what she believed had been successful, the Home Secretary said: “It’s a whole range of things, some of which are already happening in certain parts of the country, but which we need to bring together in these areas which actually account for more than 50 per cent of gun crime in order to make a difference.”
She concluded by stressing the issue was a government priority.
This year, gun crime has routinely occupied headlines after a wave of gang related incidents committed by teenagers against other teenagers.
These attacks reached a crescendo this month with the murder Rhys Jones in Liverpool, shot while playing football outside his local pub.
Although police have arrested and questioned numerous suspects, the case remains open.
Last week the Conservatives proposed making teenagers participate in “National Citizenship Service” during summer holidays, to instill a sense of pride and responsibility in them towards their community.
David Cameron claimed this radical measure would inspire the younger generation and steer them away from violent or criminal activity.
The Home Secretary’s proposals today come on the cusp of the autumn conference season, where the government will face new pressure to solidify its stance on gun crime.
