Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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2003 (and previous) press releases
Gun Crime Increase in Sussex
Sussex is suffering under a significant increase in gun crime, with firearms offences nearly doubling since 1997 according to new information released by the Home Office and obtained by local MP Norman Baker.
The figures disclosed by Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth show that recorded crime involving firearms has jumped in Sussex from 218 offences in 1997 to 404 last year:
Year Number of offences
1997 218
1998-9 315
1999-2000 377
2000-01 326
2001-02 404
Nationwide gun crime is also on the increase. In England alone firearms offences have leapt from 11,816 in 1997 to 21,659 in 2001-2, one senior police officer, Alan Green deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester Police warns that the problem is growing 'like a cancer.'
Speaking about the rise in Sussex gun crime, Norman Baker says:
"Gun crime is a cause for real concern, not least because it is closely connected with other serious offences such as drug dealing and armed robbery. People are being injured and lives lost as a result.
"Sussex has the 13th highest incidence of gun crime out of a total of 39 police force areas in England. But my constituents need to remember that the chances of being involved in a firearms related incident are extremely unlikely. However, to ensure that gun crime is stamped out, the government needs to boost police numbers."