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| Brown meets gun crime task force | Brown meets gun crime task force |
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| Gordon Brown promised severe punishment for people caught carrying firearms as he met a special police task force tackling gun crime in Manchester. | Gordon Brown promised severe punishment for people caught carrying firearms as he met a special police task force tackling gun crime in Manchester. |
| The prime minister met officers at the task force's base at Greenheys police station in Moss Side. | |
| He also talked to families who have had relatives murdered by gang members. | He also talked to families who have had relatives murdered by gang members. |
| The visit came as officers continue to hunt the killers of Jessie James, 15, gunned down a few streets away in a local park in September 2006. | The visit came as officers continue to hunt the killers of Jessie James, 15, gunned down a few streets away in a local park in September 2006. |
| The government set up its own ministerial task force in the wake of the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones in Liverpool in August. | The government set up its own ministerial task force in the wake of the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones in Liverpool in August. |
| Both murders remain unsolved, amid growing concern about gun violence on Britain's streets. | Both murders remain unsolved, amid growing concern about gun violence on Britain's streets. |
| Punishment is an important part of sending message that guns are completely unacceptable to this city Gordon Brown Police hold gang talks | Punishment is an important part of sending message that guns are completely unacceptable to this city Gordon Brown Police hold gang talks |
| The visit coincided with police in the capital revealing plans for talks with leaders of south London's most violent gangs in an attempt to cut gun crime. | The visit coincided with police in the capital revealing plans for talks with leaders of south London's most violent gangs in an attempt to cut gun crime. |
| Mr Brown renewed the government's pledge to take a tough stance on gun crime during his meeting with Greater Manchester Police's Xcalibre Task Force on Friday morning. | Mr Brown renewed the government's pledge to take a tough stance on gun crime during his meeting with Greater Manchester Police's Xcalibre Task Force on Friday morning. |
| He said: "Any young person who is thinking of holding a gun or harbouring a gun for a relative will be punished severely. | He said: "Any young person who is thinking of holding a gun or harbouring a gun for a relative will be punished severely. |
| "Punishment is an important part of sending the message that guns are completely unacceptable to the population of this city and every part of the country." | "Punishment is an important part of sending the message that guns are completely unacceptable to the population of this city and every part of the country." |
| The task force has been working to break the city's crime gangs and officers have visited the Los Angeles police department to look at the methods used there. | The task force has been working to break the city's crime gangs and officers have visited the Los Angeles police department to look at the methods used there. |
| Michael Todd, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Tackling guns and gangs in Manchester is one of our absolute priorities. | Michael Todd, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Tackling guns and gangs in Manchester is one of our absolute priorities. |
| "The really important thing is he will see the men and women on the Xcalibre Task Force making a real difference to people's lives, bringing these people to account." | "The really important thing is he will see the men and women on the Xcalibre Task Force making a real difference to people's lives, bringing these people to account." |