Crime Figures Show Dangers of Imitation Weapons
Reacting to the publication of annual crime figures for England and Wales Diane Abbott, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Gun Crime, today renewed calls for a complete ban on imitation weapons and called for tougher sentences for offenders.
Whilst British Crime Survey figures show an overall reduction in crime, gun crime has risen by 10% in the last year, and the use of imitation weapons has increased by 66%.
Abbott, who is also Labour's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington said: "It is regrettable that tougher gun laws have driven up imitation gun crime. I am very concerned about the wide availability and easy access to replica weapons and the purposes for which they are acquired."
Abbott went on: "The new figures confirm what the APPG on gun crime has long recognised, namely that a complete ban on imitation weapons and tougher penalties are required. It is very difficult to distinguish a replica gun from a genuine one and the experience of being on the end of a replica barrel no less traumatising."
Abbott added: "I welcome the 5 year mandatory sentence for carrying a real gun but urge the 6 months sentence for replica gun offences to be toughened. I call on a Labour government to include these necessary measures in their Violent Crime Reduction Bill as pledged."
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