The number of guns on London’s streets is unclear and the supply
of guns into the UK from abroad is a growing concern.
A
report published today by
the London Assembly Police and Crime
Committee – ‘Gun crime in
London [1] points out that the patterns
and trends around gun use may be changing.
Gun crime is rising, but the proportion that is gang
related—often thought of as associated with gun crime—is not.
This, the report suggests, challenges our traditional
understanding of the drivers of this crime, and will likely
prompt the need for a much more wide-ranging response.
The report also highlights that the supply of guns into the UK
from abroad is a growing concern, particularly as the use of
technology and ‘the dark web’ is changing the way people can
access weapons. A small, but increasing number of weapons are
originating from Eastern Europe, particularly de-commissioned
guns, which are easily converted into a viable weapon, but there
is still a lot of traffic from the U.S.[2]
Main points from the report include:
- Gun crime offences have risen over the past three years.
- Both offenders and victims of gun crime are getting younger.
- Guns are most often used in violence against the person and
robbery offences.
Chairman of the Police and Crime Committee, Steve
O’Connell AM, said:
“The number of gun crime offences in the capital is small, but
nonetheless it is a crime that can cause devastating effects for
victims, families and communities.
The supply of guns from abroad being aided by new technology
is a trend that needs to be stopped in its tracks.
The changing nature of gun possession and use will also need
careful monitoring and may prompt the need for a change in the
approach to intervention.
And the worrying trend that both offenders and victims of gun
crime are getting younger means we must provide more information
to young people about the consequences of carrying a gun, and
what to do if they find one or are aware of someone possessing
one.
The Mayor is well placed to support action to reduce the numbers
of guns on the streets and the risk of individuals becoming
involved in gun crime. The question for the Mayor is whether guns
require a distinct and specific approach to prevention and
intervention. What we cannot do is allow it to
evolve into the kind of situation the capital faces with other
serious violence, most notably knife crime.”
Follow us @LondonAssembly and tweet
about the report
using #AssemblyPolice and #GunCrimeLondon
Notes for Editors:
-
‘Gun crime in London’ report (attached).
-
Andy French, Meeting of the Police and Crime Committee, 5
October 2017
