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| £5m to tackle weapons 'hot spots' | £5m to tackle weapons 'hot spots' |
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| A £5m fund to fight knife and gun crime "hot spots" across England and Wales has been pledged by the home secretary. | A £5m fund to fight knife and gun crime "hot spots" across England and Wales has been pledged by the home secretary. |
| Jacqui Smith said £4m would go to about 10 knife crime-hit areas, and £1m would go to four areas hit by gun crime. | Jacqui Smith said £4m would go to about 10 knife crime-hit areas, and £1m would go to four areas hit by gun crime. |
| The funds will be spent on more targeted stop and searches and support for the Crown Prosecution service. | The funds will be spent on more targeted stop and searches and support for the Crown Prosecution service. |
| The move coincides with the announcement of guidelines stating schools should be the "first line of response" for tackling gang culture. | The move coincides with the announcement of guidelines stating schools should be the "first line of response" for tackling gang culture. |
| The new funding follows a series of targeted anti-gang initiatives launched in September that have seen a 51% drop in recorded gun-related injuries in four specific areas. | |
| I don't accept for one moment the idea that Britain is broken Home Secretary Jacqui Smith | I don't accept for one moment the idea that Britain is broken Home Secretary Jacqui Smith |
| The £1m to tackle gun crime will be split between these initiatives, in London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester. | |
| The allocation of £4m to tackle knife crime in about 10 other areas will be decided after consultation with local police forces, said a Home Office spokeswoman. | The allocation of £4m to tackle knife crime in about 10 other areas will be decided after consultation with local police forces, said a Home Office spokeswoman. |
| Ms Smith told a conference on gang violence in Birmingham: "I don't accept for one moment the idea that Britain is broken - that there's nothing we can do to defend our communities, protect young people and come down hard on those who use violence or the threat of violence to get their way. | Ms Smith told a conference on gang violence in Birmingham: "I don't accept for one moment the idea that Britain is broken - that there's nothing we can do to defend our communities, protect young people and come down hard on those who use violence or the threat of violence to get their way. |
| "We know that gun and gang crime is a localised problem. We know where, and to whom, it causes most harm. And on the evidence of our work over the last nine months, we know that we can beat it." | "We know that gun and gang crime is a localised problem. We know where, and to whom, it causes most harm. And on the evidence of our work over the last nine months, we know that we can beat it." |
| Ms Smith's announcement was welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo). | Ms Smith's announcement was welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo). |
| Schools are uniquely placed to spot the early signs of pupil involvement in gangs Beverley Hughes Children and Young People's Minister | Schools are uniquely placed to spot the early signs of pupil involvement in gangs Beverley Hughes Children and Young People's Minister |
| "There is no quick solution to these complex issues. Enforcement alone is not sufficient and partnerships with local community organisations are crucial to success," said Acpo's national coordinator for serious and organised crime, Jon Murphy. | "There is no quick solution to these complex issues. Enforcement alone is not sufficient and partnerships with local community organisations are crucial to success," said Acpo's national coordinator for serious and organised crime, Jon Murphy. |
| The extra funding coincides with the announcement of new guidelines for schools to tackle gangs. | The extra funding coincides with the announcement of new guidelines for schools to tackle gangs. |
| Schools should now be the "first line of response" for tackling teenage gangs, the government has said. | Schools should now be the "first line of response" for tackling teenage gangs, the government has said. |
| The Department for Children, Schools and Families guidelines include advice on how to spot gang members and find out which gangs are operating in the local area. | The Department for Children, Schools and Families guidelines include advice on how to spot gang members and find out which gangs are operating in the local area. |
| Children and Young People's Minister Beverley Hughes said: "As the only truly universal service for children and young people, schools are uniquely placed to spot the early signs of pupil involvement in gangs. | Children and Young People's Minister Beverley Hughes said: "As the only truly universal service for children and young people, schools are uniquely placed to spot the early signs of pupil involvement in gangs. |
| "The guidance I am launching today provides straightforward advice to schools about what to look for, and how to reduce risks of pupils becoming involved with gangs." | "The guidance I am launching today provides straightforward advice to schools about what to look for, and how to reduce risks of pupils becoming involved with gangs." |
| The non-compulsory guidelines cover emergency planning in case trouble breaks out, but Ms Hughes emphasised teachers should not put themselves at risk. | The non-compulsory guidelines cover emergency planning in case trouble breaks out, but Ms Hughes emphasised teachers should not put themselves at risk. |
| The announcement comes after a series of teenage deaths in London this year, some of which are thought to have been gang-related. | The announcement comes after a series of teenage deaths in London this year, some of which are thought to have been gang-related. |
| There are already school guidelines on weapons, drugs and bullying in schools. | There are already school guidelines on weapons, drugs and bullying in schools. |