Give Police and Council Powers to Tackle Gun Crime

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 24th Sep 2007

Liberal Democrats Support Action to Tackle the Scourge of Gun Crime in our Cities

Manchester Withington MP John Leech and the Leader of Manchester Lib Dems Cllr Simon Ashley have met the Lib Dem Home Affairs Spokesperson, Nick Clegg MP to discuss ways to tackle gun crime. They were joined by representative from other areas affected by gun crime, including Liverpool and the London boroughs of Brixton and Southwark.

They discussed what steps could be taken to strengthen the police in their fight against the scourge of crime involving the use of firearms. They supported calls by the Association of Chief Police Officers for the Government to allow Chief Constables flexibility to tackle gun crime with practical solutions tailored to the needs of their area. This means not just being tough, but effective in the fight against gun crime on a local level.

Following the meeting, the Leader of Liverpool City Council Cllr Warren Bradley moved for an emergency Lib Dem Conference debate to support a 24-hour border force, for more powers for local authorities and police, and extra funding for gun crime hot-spots.

John Leech MP said:

"The meeting with Nick Clegg MP and the Home Affairs team was useful, and allowed us to share ideas and experiences in dealing with gun crime from around the country."

Manchester Lib Dem Leader Simon Ashley also commented:

"There aren't any quick fixes or "one size fits all" solutions in the fight against gun crime. The Council and Police Chiefs need the resources and power to tackle gun crime locally."

Ends…

Notes to Editors:

Liberal Democrats are campaigning for more police officers in Greater Manchester. Earlier this year Greater Manchester's four Liberal Democrat MPs presented a 5,000 signature petition to 10 Downing Street protesting at the cut of 216 Police Officers in Greater Manchester.

By submitting the petition, Mark Hunter MP (Cheadle), John Leech MP (Manchester Withington), Paul Rowen MP (Rochdale) and Andrew Stunell MP (Hazel Grove) are backing the Chief Constable in his call for extra officers.

Liberal Democrats would pay for more police officers nationally by scrapping the Government's increasingly expensive and complicated plans for national ID cards. Unlike the Labour party in Manchester, local Liberal Democrats are totally opposed to plans for ID cards.