Figures show 'widespread use of guns’ (London)

EDGWARE & MILL HILL TIMES ^ | 20th July 2006 | NA

[neverdem]

Barnet has seen a 68 per cent rise in muggings by gunpoint in the past year, according to new figures released by the Metropolitan Police.

In the year to March 31, 2006, there were 42 such offences in the borough, compared to the previous year's figure of 25.

Councillor Brian Coleman, Barnet's London Assembly Member, said: "These figures not only suggest a more widespread use of guns, but that they are becoming more and more readily available.

"With the ever increasing amount of council tax that we're being asked to pay, and the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone's much vaunted Safer Neighbourhoods scheme, with its supposedly more visible police presence, the residents of Barnet would expect to feel safe when venturing out onto the streets.

"However, these figures do nothing to support that view and cast further doubt on the Mayor's ability to handle the policing of London effectively."

Chief Inspector Pete Edwards, of Barnet police, said: "We had a rise in gunpoint muggings last year, but that was after two years of falling robbery with a gun' figures.

"We take all robberies, especially gun enabled robberies, very seriously.

"There has been a significant reduction in robberies since April 1 this year with about 100 fewer victims compared to the same period last year.

"We continue to make Barnet a safer place in which to live and work by targeting those who rob."

[dfwgator]

This cannot be, Britain banned guns.

[Puppage]

Figures show 'widespread use of guns’ (London)

Facts matter not...it's all about feeeeeeeeeeeeeelings.

[Sax]

I seem to recall some saying about only the criminals having guns...

[Red Badger]

This is absolutely impossible. Guns are illegal,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Kenton]

That's ironic. Here in the US where concealed carry is permitted, crime is WAY down. I guess the liberal Brits' little social experiment isn't working out, huh?

Just goes to prove the truth of that old bumper sticker that reads "When guns are criminalized, only criminals will have guns".

[EagleUSA]

Yes, the moron liberals are still working hard to find laws that criminals will obey. Libs just don't get it...

[Jack2006]

Some crimes in Britain are more than the US.

Some are much less, like Murder.

[epow]

"These figures not only suggest a more widespread use of guns, but that they are becoming more and more readily available.

Oh you silly old goose, don't you know that guns aren't allowed in the UK? Good heavens, you would think that those people would keep up to date with their laws over there.

[paul51]

Take everyones right of self defense away and then when the criminals begin to feast on the easy prey, tell them you need more police.

[Dick Bachert]

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[Kenton]

Some crimes in Britain are more than the US. Some are much less, like Murder.

I'd like to see some statistics to support that.

From http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2005/10/british_crime_s.php:

"A report on British crime figures. "A report released this week by the United Nations confirms what law-abiding Americans have known for quite some time. That being that criminals prefer victims who cannot fight back. Based on a crime survey of the world's top industrialized countries, the U.N. report indicates that a resident of the United Kingdom is nearly 3 times more likely to become a victim of violent assault than is a citizen of the United States. The report reveals that Scotland is the most violent country in the industrialized world with over 2,000 Scots attacked every week, which amounts to about 3 percent of the population on an annual basis. England and Wales are close behind with 2.8 percent of the population falling victim to violent assault. By comparison, Americans are victimized by violent offenders at a rate of 1.2 percent."

Unless "violent assault" excludes murder, you may need to check your stats.

[Jack2006]

Try and check murder stats my friend.

To be honest the stats are so wide, to claim anything else would need a disposition like Comical Ali.

Another point is - these are all reported crimes. Do the places with signs telling tourists that they are in a no-go area really report crimes?

[Jack2006]

Don't you think that to use those images to make a point about a country that fought those evil people is a bit sick?

Do I have to remind you that the people you deride not only fought the Nazis for two years before America, but still sends men to fight and die alongside Americans - more than any other nation.

To be honest why is it any of your business whether the UK has guns or not? I though every nation has a right to self-determination and if that is what the British people want then so be it?

[Mac1]

"don't you know that guns aren't allowed in the UK?"

Once more, they are; they just have to be over a certain length and no semiauto rifles unless in .22. Not that I'm happy with the current situation but they are not totally banned. You might be surprised with what IS allowed in fact.

[SAJ]

...what the British people want...

Try as I might, I can't recall the last time the British people were ever queried on this topic. And, no, I'm not referring to those rubbish polls in the Telegraph and the Sun.

What government want and what the citizenry want are at least like as not to be almost anything but identical.

[CholeraJoe]

Proving my point that when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.

[Jack2006]

I can assure you whether it is good or bad they are identical.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Barnet has seen a 68 per cent rise in muggings by gunpoint in the past year, according to new figures released by the Metropolitan Police.

"There has been a significant reduction in robberies since April 1 this year with about 100 fewer victims compared to the same period last year.

"We continue to make Barnet a safer place in which to live and work by targeting those who rob."

By targeting legal gun ownership, armed robbers can now work more safely and efficently. Robbers can now earn more while committing fewer robberies.

[Fighting Irish]

post of the day!