Police must work with communities most affected by gun and knife crime

12.00.00am GMT Thu 31st Jan 2008

Commenting on the latest government figures showing a rise in homicides from guns and sharp instruments, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"The increase in gun and knife killings is deeply alarming. Violent crime is still far higher than a decade ago and must be tackled much more vigorously.

"Police should devote more time to stop and searches for knives and guns, and there must be a major new effort from the Government to clamp down on gun and knife smuggling.

"Nine times more officials are allocated to tackling cigarette smuggling than gun smuggling, which is a crazy set of priorities.

"The police must work with communities most affected by gun and knife crime to tackle this scourge on our streets.

"Draconian measures introduced without the support of communities could be highly counter-productive. Labour and the Tories should listen to the views of front line police in the National Black Police Association about key safeguards for minority communities."