SHARP RISE IN GUN AND KNIFE CRIME MUST BE CURBED - STUNELL

10.15.00am GMT Tue 3rd Feb 2009

Gun and knife crime is soaring across the North West, with the bulk of firearms offences occurring in Greater Manchester, according to Greater Manchester MP Andrew Stunell.

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats from the Home Office show Gun and Knife crimes rose steeply across the North West in the last five years. The number of arrests for possession of offensive weapons in the North West, including guns and knives, rose from 1,188 in 2002 to 1,730 in 2007, an increase of 45.6%. The bulk of that increase occurred in 2007, the most recent year for which figures were available, where arrests increased by a third.

Gun crime has almost doubled since 2002, with 236 arrests in the North West in 2007 for the possession of a firearm, up from 125. More than half of the firearms arrests were made within the Greater Manchester Police Force area.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell MP said:

"These figures are very worrying, and a shocking indictment of the current government's approach to crime.

"A succession of Home Secretaries have talked about being tough on crime, and tough on the causes of crime. In reality, they've been weak on both, and their approach to dealing with gun and knife crime in particular has been a spectacular failure.

"The increasing number of dangerous weapons being carried round is putting lives at risk each day - often those of the very police officers who have to get these weapons off the streets.

"The way ahead has to be more targeted stop and search in crime hot spots, a sustained campaign in schools, and an increase in the likelihood of being caught.

"It is time for the government to stop talking tough on crime, and start dealing with it."

ENDS

Note: Full figures available on request.