Home Office to unveil new gun crime scheme

Tuesday, 25 November 2003 5:59 AM

The Home Office today will launch a new scheme targeted at speeding up the prosecution of firearms offences.

Caroline Flint, the home office minister with the brief on gun crime reduction, is expected to unveil the new £1.1 million initiative.

The National Firearms Forensic Intelligence Database, a joint initiative from the Forensic Science Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers, has been set up to streamline national checks of weapons used in gun crimes.

The new database is to be linked with an automated system, called IBIS, which analyses items such as gun cartridges and ammunition from previous crimes.

Ms Flint is set to meet police and community groups to discuss how the new technology will help defeat the growing problem.

She said the database would be an "invaluable tool" for the police.

"Using cutting edge technology, it will help to bring more of the criminals who spread fear in our communities to justice.

"Tougher laws, effective enforcement, and working closely with communities is making a real difference.

"But we need to keep up the momentum, and I will be meeting later today with expert and community representatives to look at what more needs to be done.

"The Government is determined to tackle the gun crime which can rip apart lives, families and communities."

In 2003, 97 lives were lost as a consequence of gun crime.

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