Smith 'determined' on gun crime

Agency will collect intelligence on suspects, weapons and incidents

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith visited Birmingham to see the new anti-gun crime agency, the National Ballistics Intelligence Service at work.

The new service aims to identify weapons and link gun crime incidents within 24 to 48 hours.

At the new offices, Ms Smith said: "I am determined to tackle gun crime and get guns off our streets."

The agency, which cost £8m, includes a national database for recovered guns and ammunition.

Ms Smith added: "The new National Ballistics Intelligence Service gives us a vital new tool.

"For the first time, it will give a complete picture and detailed analysis of any guns and ammunition recovered from incidents."

'Gun-toting criminals'

Ms Smith's visit is part of the Tackling Gangs Action Programme, which the home secretary launched last September.

"In linking bullets to guns and guns to incidents and to criminals, it will lift the curtain on the shady world of gun-toting criminals and gangs, helping police to get them and their weapons off our streets."

Birmingham, along with Manchester and London, is identified by the police as experiencing disproportionate gun and gang crime.

Nabis will operate out of hubs in London, Manchester and Birmingham - cities which have all seen increasing levels of gun crime.

The agency begins operations in April and aims to go national by September.