Gun Crime Campaign

[14th September 2004]

Gun crime is one of the major crime concerns facing Britain today and Crimestoppers will therefore be unveiling its Anti-Gun Crime campaign to launch this year's annual Crimestoppers Week – September 20th – 26th 2004.

Whether you live in the city or in Britain's rural communities, Crimestoppers, the independent charity which provides the 0800 555 111 number through which people can report details of crime anonymously, can offer everyone a vital opportunity to help take guns off the street without fear of reprisals. Crimestoppers never asks for callers' names and never records or traces calls.

Crimestoppers are launching a UK-wide series of posters and direct mail postcard leaflets highlighting the widespread impact of gun crime and how Crimestoppers provides a safe, secure means for everyone to help create a safer community.

Crimestoppers Director of Communications Jane Reay comments: "Gun crime in Britain has increased dramatically over the last five years and many of those closest to danger are often afraid to go to the police for fear of violent repercussions. Crimestoppers offers people a safe and unique outlet in which they can help save lives and make their communities safer without endangering themselves."

Gun Crime - The Facts:

2003 was the worst year for gun murders in England and Wales since the Home Office began keeping comparable statistics. There were 96 such killings in 2001, compared to 73 in 2000, 61 in 1999, and 46 in 1998. In Manchester alone, more than 24 people have been shot within the last five years.

Although figures showed that gun crime in London was slightly down on last year, guns are nevertheless still a cause for concern in many metropolitan areas and the use of handguns was also growing in rural communities.

Replica guns are similarly becoming more prevalent than ever in cases of violent crime and murder and there are believed to be at least 500,000 currently in circulation. Police found that 72% of the firearms seized by the Metropolitan police were replica firearms converted, modified or upgraded to fire bullets. Replica guns can be bought over the counter for as little as £65.