Police in 'relentless pursuit of gun gangs

THE spectre of gun crime rose again in Manchester this week.

- NEAL KEELING

A teenager was shot and stabbed in Gorton, suffering serious injuries at the hands of would-be killers on bikes.

The attempted murder shocked a neighbourhood a grim reminder that deadly weapons are still a very real threat on our streets.

Greater Manchester Police say it's a threat they're determined to eliminate. They will continue to 'relentlessly' chase 'those involved in serious violence! They're making significant progress. Latest figures, bosses say, show they're getting a grip on the problem.

Between 2020 and 2023, GMP seized more firearms than any other force in the north west accounting for 58 per cent of recoveries in the region. In that period, 232 guns were seized by the force.

Targeted operations and ongoing prevention work with young people across Greater Manchester has seen real results, bosses add. In the last 12 months, the force has dismantled several criminal networks and secured jail sentences totalling more than 300 years.

GMP reports a steady decrease in known firearms discharges. There were 58 in 2021; 29 in 2022; and 26 in 2023. There have been 18 incidents involving guns in 2024 to date.

Greater Manchester has not seen a fatal shooting since March 2023, when Zikel Bobmanuel was shot dead by his half-brother Rumaal Ingram, who later admitted manslaughter.