Durham gun crime reaches a record high

Oct 28 2009 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

GUN crime in Durham has increased to a record high over the past decade according to figures released yesterday by the Conservatives.

The figures show that offences involving dangerous firearms have increased by 233%, going up from 13 in 1998 to 45 in 2007-8.

The party claims the figures also show similar increases in nearly half of all forces in the England and Wales, though there was only a small rise in Northumbria and a drop in Cleveland.

The statistics showed Lancashire Constabulary saw the biggest single rise, with the number of offences increasing by 600%.

But the Home Office said the claims were “misleading” because of changes in recording practices.

The figures, released to the Conservatives in Parliamentary answers, show a full breakdown of gun crime by police force and region.

They come after it was revealed the Metropolitan Police was deploying armed officers after a surge in gang violence.

Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said: “In areas dominated by gang culture, we’re now seeing guns used to settle scores between rivals as well as turf wars between rival drug dealers.

“We need to redouble our efforts to deal with the challenge.”