Force sees big rise in gun crime

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6387733.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The North Wales Police force area saw a big increase in firearms offences last year, according to new figures.

Home Office statistics show North Wales had six offences in 2002, rising to 60 in 2005 and 88 in 2006. Wales' three other forces saw a drop from 2005.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats, who highlighted the figures, said the North Wales statistics were "worrying".

North Wales Police said the "vast majority" of offences were related to ball bearing (BB) guns and air rifles.

According to the Home Office figures for 2005-6, North Wales Police dealt with 88 firearm offences, or 13 per 100,000 people - a figure greater than several English urban centres.

FIREARMS OFFENCES 2005-6 All Wales - 233North Wales - 88South Wales - 71Gwent - 53Dyfed-Powys - 21 <i>Figures: Home Office</i>

This compares with 10 offences per 100,000 people in the Northumbria Police area, which includes Newcastle, and 12 per 100,000 in Humberside.

Across Wales, the number of firearms offences fell from 2005's total of 289 to 233 in 2006.

With the exception of North Wales Police, all Wales' police forces recorded a fall in the number of gun offences.

'Deeply worrying'

Wales' largest force, South Wales Police, saw a drop from 104 to 71 offences.

The figures come after Home Secretary John Reid outlined measures to tackle gun crime following a summit at 10 Downing Street with police and community leaders.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Tony Blair, followed a spate of shootings involving young people across the UK.

The gun figures were highlighted by the Welsh Liberal Democrats, who said the North Wales statistics were "deeply worrying".

Air rifles

Cardiff Central MP Jenny Willott said: "Five years ago, north Wales had the lowest level of gun crime in Wales, one of the lowest in the UK.

"While the rest of Wales has seen the number of firearm offences come down in recent years, in north Wales, it has continually increased.

"Gun crime in north Wales is more common than in police force areas that include Newcastle, Hull, Bristol and Southampton."

Deputy chief constable Clive Wolfendale, of North Wales Police, confirmed the figures, but said: "The vast majority of these offences are concerned with BB guns and air rifles.

"It is part of our deliberate policy to confront people who misuse them.

"Problems with Section One firearms, handguns and the like, are thankfully relatively few".