626 gun offences recorded in West Yorkshire as police vow 'proactive approach' to problem
A West Yorkshire Police chief has vowed to take a “proactive approach” to tackling rising gun crime.
Gun-related crime has increased for a third year in a row across England and Wales – although it remains below pre-pandemic levels.
Figures from the Home Office show West Yorkshire Police recorded 626 firearms offences in the year to March – up from 440 the year before and the highest figure since records began in 2007-08.
According to West Yorkshire Police, the rise in firearms offences in 2023-24 was driven by crimes involving BB guns which saw a spike between June and August 2023, some of which may also relate to so-called gel guns.
Detective Superintendent Marie Bulmer said: “West Yorkshire Police takes a proactive approach to removing firearms from our streets so that people who live in, work in and visit our communities remain safe.
“That's why we are committed to focusing every effort to ensure that the people who illegally carry firearms are brought to justice where they are highly likely to serve a prison sentence.
“Through Programme Precision, the Force’s response to tackling serious organised criminality, we are committed to tackling those groups who seek to use firearms or the threat of firearms to reinforce their standing in the criminal world.
“It is also important that we work with local communities and partners to identify, arrest and convict anyone who is involved in any kind of crime that involves guns.”
England and Wales saw a third consecutive rise in gun crime, with 6,447 offences in total, nearly 400 more than a year earlier and approaching the pre-pandemic figure of 6,665 in 2019-20.
Gun crime disproportionately impacts young people. According to the data, 46 per cent of victims were between 10 and 29 years old, despite this group representing less than a quarter of the population. In addition, one in 11 victims were aged between 10 and 14.
A statement from Simon Foster and Matthew Barber, the APCC's joint leads on serious violence, said: "Any increase in firearms offences is concerning, particularly where they include children and young people.
"These statistics show there are significantly fewer offences over the long term, but police and crime commissioners are committed to ensuring their police forces bear down on all forms of violence which has such devastating consequences for victims."
If any West Yorkshire residents are concerned about what's happening in their area, they can speak with their local Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
Anyone with information about firearms, are asked to contact West Yorkshire Police on the non emergency 101 number or anonymously via Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.