Drizzt
Member
Press Association
April 11, 2003, Friday 09:17 AM Eastern Time
SECTION: HOME NEWS
LENGTH: 423 words
HEADLINE: BLUNKETT CONSIDERS NO-JURY TRIALS IN GUN CASES
BYLINE: David Stringer, PA News
BODY:
Home Secretary David Blunkett said today that the Government will consider trials without juries and greater protection for witnesses to help police crack the wall of silence surrounding fatal shootings and gun crime.
He pledged during a visit to Nottingham's Central Police Station to introduce new legislation to crack down on the guns and gang culture, and urged community leaders to provide better role models for young people.
Mr Blunkett said 8,000 guns, including 563 handguns, had been handed to police forces across the country since the launch of a month-long amnesty on March 31.
But more action was needed to tackle crimes involving firearms and to encourage people to come forward and give evidence.
"We are in the process of seeing how witnesses give evidence by video or with protection and also allowing there to be judge only trials," said the Home Secretary.
"Where there is very strong evidence of intimidation of witnesses or intimidation of the jury, we will propose that a judge sits alone."
He accepted that the plans would be controversial but urged people to support the idea to help the victims of gun crime.
"There is a degree of naivety about the evil that we are having to tackle and I urge everyone to support us," said Mr Blunkett.
He also hoped a new mandatory five-year minimum sentence for possessing illegal firearms would provide a stark warning to those who carry weapons.
"We are giving a clear message and providing a clear deterrent with the five-year minimum sentence and we hope that this gets the right response," said Mr Blunkett.
"I was in the United States last week to visit Baltimore, which had one of the highest homicide rates in that country.
"They are now bringing that rate down and the young people are also changing their attitudes towards guns."
Mr Blunkett said that, following a discussion with local community leaders in Nottingham, he hoped positive role models could be provided to help steer young people away from gangs and to prevent them becoming involved in the use of guns.
He said that in the first week of the national gun amnesty, which continues until April 30, 71,000 rounds of ammunition were turned over to police.
"Around 8,000 guns which could otherwise have been used in crime, have been taken off our streets," said Mr Blunkett.
"This includes hundreds of handguns, along with potentially lethal air weapons and imitation guns that can cause fear and distress.
"Uniquely, a rocket launcher was handed in to police in the West Midlands."
April 11, 2003, Friday 09:17 AM Eastern Time
SECTION: HOME NEWS
LENGTH: 423 words
HEADLINE: BLUNKETT CONSIDERS NO-JURY TRIALS IN GUN CASES
BYLINE: David Stringer, PA News
BODY:
Home Secretary David Blunkett said today that the Government will consider trials without juries and greater protection for witnesses to help police crack the wall of silence surrounding fatal shootings and gun crime.
He pledged during a visit to Nottingham's Central Police Station to introduce new legislation to crack down on the guns and gang culture, and urged community leaders to provide better role models for young people.
Mr Blunkett said 8,000 guns, including 563 handguns, had been handed to police forces across the country since the launch of a month-long amnesty on March 31.
But more action was needed to tackle crimes involving firearms and to encourage people to come forward and give evidence.
"We are in the process of seeing how witnesses give evidence by video or with protection and also allowing there to be judge only trials," said the Home Secretary.
"Where there is very strong evidence of intimidation of witnesses or intimidation of the jury, we will propose that a judge sits alone."
He accepted that the plans would be controversial but urged people to support the idea to help the victims of gun crime.
"There is a degree of naivety about the evil that we are having to tackle and I urge everyone to support us," said Mr Blunkett.
He also hoped a new mandatory five-year minimum sentence for possessing illegal firearms would provide a stark warning to those who carry weapons.
"We are giving a clear message and providing a clear deterrent with the five-year minimum sentence and we hope that this gets the right response," said Mr Blunkett.
"I was in the United States last week to visit Baltimore, which had one of the highest homicide rates in that country.
"They are now bringing that rate down and the young people are also changing their attitudes towards guns."
Mr Blunkett said that, following a discussion with local community leaders in Nottingham, he hoped positive role models could be provided to help steer young people away from gangs and to prevent them becoming involved in the use of guns.
He said that in the first week of the national gun amnesty, which continues until April 30, 71,000 rounds of ammunition were turned over to police.
"Around 8,000 guns which could otherwise have been used in crime, have been taken off our streets," said Mr Blunkett.
"This includes hundreds of handguns, along with potentially lethal air weapons and imitation guns that can cause fear and distress.
"Uniquely, a rocket launcher was handed in to police in the West Midlands."