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25/11/2003
Gun crime targeted with £1m police database
A new £1 million 'gun crime' database has been launched which could help bring more criminals to justice and make communities safer, Home Office Minister Caroline Flint said today.
The Minister will launch the Forensic Science Service's (FSS) National Firearms Forensic Intelligence Database (NFFID) later today, ahead of a meeting with the Home Secretary, police and community groups.
The new database, developed with over £1 million of Home Office funding, will improve the speed and quality of police intelligence sharing on the firearms used in crime. The technology will help link crimes regardless of where and when they take place, the government said.
Once a weapon or ammunition is entered into the system, it can be checked against all the records of previously seized items to establish any matches, the Home Office said. By collating data from all 43 police forces in England and Wales in one place, an "accurate picture" of the extent and nature of criminal use of firearms will be developed.
The move is part of a drive by the government, the police and communities to cut gun crime, through measures including: a national firearms amnesty, which earlier this year took nearly 44,000 guns and more than a million rounds of ammunition off the streets; the introduction of a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for illegal possession of prohibited firearms; and the setting up of a new anti-gun crime charity the Disarm Trust.
Ms Flint said: "The new National Firearms Forensic Intelligence Database will 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.
"The government is determined to tackle the gun crime which can rip apart lives, families and communities."
(gmcg)
The Minister will launch the Forensic Science Service's (FSS) National Firearms Forensic Intelligence Database (NFFID) later today, ahead of a meeting with the Home Secretary, police and community groups.
The new database, developed with over £1 million of Home Office funding, will improve the speed and quality of police intelligence sharing on the firearms used in crime. The technology will help link crimes regardless of where and when they take place, the government said.
Once a weapon or ammunition is entered into the system, it can be checked against all the records of previously seized items to establish any matches, the Home Office said. By collating data from all 43 police forces in England and Wales in one place, an "accurate picture" of the extent and nature of criminal use of firearms will be developed.
The move is part of a drive by the government, the police and communities to cut gun crime, through measures including: a national firearms amnesty, which earlier this year took nearly 44,000 guns and more than a million rounds of ammunition off the streets; the introduction of a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for illegal possession of prohibited firearms; and the setting up of a new anti-gun crime charity the Disarm Trust.
Ms Flint said: "The new National Firearms Forensic Intelligence Database will 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.
"The government is determined to tackle the gun crime which can rip apart lives, families and communities."
(gmcg)
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West Midlands Police have arrested 21 people in connection with firearms offences, as part of an operation to tackle gun crime. Fifteen men and six women, aged between 13 and 35 were arrested during yesterday’s raids in Rowley Regis.
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West Midlands Police have arrested 21 people in connection with firearms offences, as part of an operation to tackle gun crime. Fifteen men and six women, aged between 13 and 35 were arrested during yesterday’s raids in Rowley Regis.
21 October 2004
Violent crime and firearms offences on the rise: police figures
Despite an overall crime dip of 5%, violent crime in England and Wales has risen by 11% compared to the same quarter last year, according to police figures out today. Firearm offences rose overall by 3% - the biggest hikes were for offences that resulted in no injury, at 28%, and for the use of imitation firearms.
Violent crime and firearms offences on the rise: police figures
Despite an overall crime dip of 5%, violent crime in England and Wales has risen by 11% compared to the same quarter last year, according to police figures out today. Firearm offences rose overall by 3% - the biggest hikes were for offences that resulted in no injury, at 28%, and for the use of imitation firearms.
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22 January 2004
Police figures show 14% rise in violent crime
Violent crime recorded by police in England and Wales rose by 14% in the three months up to September last year, according to crime survey statistics published by the Home Office today. The police recorded crime figures were published alongside the British Crime Survey (BCS), the government's preferred measure for quantifying crime levels.
Police figures show 14% rise in violent crime
Violent crime recorded by police in England and Wales rose by 14% in the three months up to September last year, according to crime survey statistics published by the Home Office today. The police recorded crime figures were published alongside the British Crime Survey (BCS), the government's preferred measure for quantifying crime levels.
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