This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/6396229.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Evict gun thugs' families' call 'Evict gun thugs' families' call
(2 days later)
Families that shield gun criminals from the police should be evicted from their homes, a senior police chief has said.Families that shield gun criminals from the police should be evicted from their homes, a senior police chief has said.
Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, believes the tough measure would make communities feel safer and help tackle gun crime.Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, believes the tough measure would make communities feel safer and help tackle gun crime.
Writing in the Telegraph, he also calls for tougher action on teenagers caught with guns and the power to force witnesses to give evidence. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he also calls for tougher action on teenagers caught with guns and the power to force witnesses to give evidence.
The chief said it was vital that police broke the "wall of silence" they face.The chief said it was vital that police broke the "wall of silence" they face.
Mr Hogan-Howe has overseen a fall of almost 25% in firearms offences in Merseyside since he was appointed in September 2004.Mr Hogan-Howe has overseen a fall of almost 25% in firearms offences in Merseyside since he was appointed in September 2004.
He attributes the drop to the force's "total war on crime", in which officers disrupt fringe criminal activity while detectives target the gun criminals.He attributes the drop to the force's "total war on crime", in which officers disrupt fringe criminal activity while detectives target the gun criminals.
Society needs to make it clear it will not tolerate the thugs who are living life by the law of the gun Bernard Hogan-HoweSociety needs to make it clear it will not tolerate the thugs who are living life by the law of the gun Bernard Hogan-Howe
After taking part in last week's Downing Street summit on gun crime in Britain's cities, Mr Hogan-Howe outlined the three priorities in tackling teenage gun crime.After taking part in last week's Downing Street summit on gun crime in Britain's cities, Mr Hogan-Howe outlined the three priorities in tackling teenage gun crime.
They include tightening the criminal justice system to take to court those who refuse to give evidence, excluding people involved in gun crime from their communities and tougher measures to tackle the importation of guns.They include tightening the criminal justice system to take to court those who refuse to give evidence, excluding people involved in gun crime from their communities and tougher measures to tackle the importation of guns.
Despite the fall in the number of firearms offences in Merseyside, Mr Hogan-Howe said they had seen an increase in the number of teenagers involved in gun crime.Despite the fall in the number of firearms offences in Merseyside, Mr Hogan-Howe said they had seen an increase in the number of teenagers involved in gun crime.
He wrote: "Teenagers found to be involved in gun crime should be excluded by being sent to prison or other secure accommodation.He wrote: "Teenagers found to be involved in gun crime should be excluded by being sent to prison or other secure accommodation.
"When these children come from families where crime is an inherent way of life and they harbour those with guns I think action should be taken to exclude them."When these children come from families where crime is an inherent way of life and they harbour those with guns I think action should be taken to exclude them.
"Once taken away from the community these families should be managed by agencies involved in the criminal justice system and local authorities."Once taken away from the community these families should be managed by agencies involved in the criminal justice system and local authorities.
"Exclusion is essential so that the rest of the community can feel safe and enjoy their day-to-day lives without fear."Exclusion is essential so that the rest of the community can feel safe and enjoy their day-to-day lives without fear.
"Society needs to make it clear it will not tolerate the thugs who are living life by the law of the gun.""Society needs to make it clear it will not tolerate the thugs who are living life by the law of the gun."