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Call to tackle gun crime silence Call to tackle gun crime silence
(about 2 hours later)
One of the UK's top police officers has called for new laws to force the public to inform police about gun crime.One of the UK's top police officers has called for new laws to force the public to inform police about gun crime.
Merseyside's Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe told the Guardian newspaper that the protective "wall of silence" around those involved had to be broken.Merseyside's Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe told the Guardian newspaper that the protective "wall of silence" around those involved had to be broken.
He said Britain should adopt laws similar to those in Australia which make it a duty to report information.He said Britain should adopt laws similar to those in Australia which make it a duty to report information.
The call comes amid growing frustration for police chiefs over the difficulties in tackling gun crime among youths.The call comes amid growing frustration for police chiefs over the difficulties in tackling gun crime among youths.
The chief constable told the newspaper it was clear more and more young people were getting involved in gun crime.The chief constable told the newspaper it was clear more and more young people were getting involved in gun crime.
The best witness is quite often the victim who can provide a description and motive Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-HoweThe best witness is quite often the victim who can provide a description and motive Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe
He said he would also want to see new laws extended to the victims of gun crime.He said he would also want to see new laws extended to the victims of gun crime.
Those who survive being shot often do not press charges for fear of reprisals.Those who survive being shot often do not press charges for fear of reprisals.
"The challenge is people who survive do not want to complain and the best witness is quite often the victim who can provide a description and motive," he said."The challenge is people who survive do not want to complain and the best witness is quite often the victim who can provide a description and motive," he said.
"By refusing to help, it can put the investigation on to the back foot.""By refusing to help, it can put the investigation on to the back foot."
In Merseyside, his officers are evicting families with children hiding guns and moving them to other areas. However, Victim Support said going to the police should remain the choice of the individual.
"We cannot underestimate the impact that going through the criminal process can have on the victims as individuals," a spokeswoman said.
Even with witness protection programmes, some people might not feel that was enough and would still be living in a state of fear, she added.
Families evicted
At a meeting at Downing Street in February, Chief Constable Hogan-Howe said a number of measures introduced in Merseyside were helping to reduce gun crime locally.
His officers are evicting families with children hiding guns and moving them to other areas.
Regular stop and searches were also taking place, he said.Regular stop and searches were also taking place, he said.
At a meeting at Downing Street in February, Chief Constable Hogan-Howe said these measures were helping to reduce gun crime locally. Mr Bernard Hogan-Howe, a former assistant commissioner at the Metropolitan Police, took over as chief constable in Merseyside in 2004.
There has been a spate of shootings recently involving teenage victims in London but gun crime in the UK is still rare with 50 deaths in 2005/2006 compared with 78 the year before.There has been a spate of shootings recently involving teenage victims in London but gun crime in the UK is still rare with 50 deaths in 2005/2006 compared with 78 the year before.