Forces including London's Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police teamed up during a gun crime conference last week organised by the Home Office's police standards unit.
Bob Ainsworth, Home Office minister, who launched the Tackling Gun Related Criminality event, said that gun crime was on the increase. According to Home Office figures released in January 2003, gun crime rose by 35 per cent in the 12 months to April 2002.
"Evidence suggests that guns are being used in a wider range of offences and that criminals are increasingly prepared to carry firearms, as well as by some young people who think that guns are fashion accessories," said Ainsworth.
"For many police forces, this is a new and unfamiliar type of criminality and they will benefit from lessons learned by other forces.
"Communities have a vital role to play in contributing to effective solutions, and there are already good examples of the community and the police working together in many areas."
