Ministers unveil action to tackle gangs

By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) - Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has promised 5 million pounds to combat violent crime following the success of a project to tackle gangs which led to a 51 percent drop in gun-related injuries.

The extra money will be earmarked for police, local authorities and communities in 10 "hotspots" in England and Wales, to provide for such measures as more stop and search programmes.

Smith also promised action to help provide anonymity for witnesses to gun and gang crimes as soon as they come forward to police.

The plans are based on recommendations from the Tackling Gangs Action Programme (TGAP), headed by senior officer Jon Murphy, which was launched last September to target problems in London, Manchester, Merseyside and Birmingham.

The TGAP project led to a decline in gun offences and related injuries and prompted 124 arrests, while people in the targeted areas reported seeing more police activity where they lived than during the six previous months.

"These early findings are encouraging, which is why I want to spread this approach to knife crime and build on what works. I'm determined that we do all we can to get all weapons off our streets," Smith said on Thursday.

Other planned work will include stopping guns from coming into the country, backing projects which show young people the risk of carrying knives and providing opportunities for those wanting to leave gangs.

In a separate announcement, the government said schools would be given guidance to help them identify early signs of pupils becoming involved in gangs.