Smith welcomes guns crackdown

118 arrested and 1,300 guns seized in crackdown

Thursday, 29, Nov 2007 12:00

The home secretary has welcomed a crackdown on guns and gangs, which took place yesterday in four cities across England.

More than 100 people were arrested and 1,300 real and fake firearms seized after police raids in Manchester, London, Liverpool and Birmingham.

The coordinated day of action was designed to disrupt the supply of guns on to Britain's streets and was targeted at those cities that have been most affected by the recent spate of youth-on-youth attacks.

Ms Smith said: "Getting guns off our streets is a top priority for the government and the day of action sends a strong message to criminals and the community that weapons won’t be tolerated.

"Yesterday’s success proves that gun crime can be tackled and communities can stand up against the intimidation of guns."

The action took place as part of the government's tackling gangs action programme, which was launched by Ms Smith in September.

The home secretary said today the programme has made "good progress" in working with police and local authorities to increase enforcement and boost community reassurance.

Jon Murphy, head of the tackling gangs action programme on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers said: "Tragedies involving young people have a profound effect on all neighbourhoods.

"Chief officers across the police service share the desire to work with government to address the causes of gun and gang-related violence in the most affected areas over the long term."

Officials from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) joined police on yesterday's raids.

Roy Clark, direction of HMRC criminal investigations, said custom officials were working to ensure real and replica guns do not end up on the streets.