LAPD officer praises city links

The visitors have been speaking at events organised by Carisma

A Los Angeles police officer visiting Manchester as part of efforts to help tackle gun crime has hailed links between police and the community.

Lieutenant Brian Gilman is one of two visitors from LA who met teenagers at schools and community groups in Moss Side as part of Peace Week.

The officer is also meeting Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers to share experiences of gang culture.

The events are being held less than two weeks after two shootings in the city.

Peace Week has been held for a number of years in the city and has been organised by the Community Alliance for Renewal Inner South Manchester Area (Carisma).

There is no age that is too young to start giving the message Lt Brian Gilman, LAPD

Lt Gilman has been holding a series of meetings in Moss Side and Longsight alongside street pastor Greg Turk, also from LA.

"The collaboration between the GMP and the community is just a marvel - it is fantastic," said Mr Gilman.

"We have done the same thing to a degree in Los Angeles and I think with some success. But LA is a city of 460 sq m and almost four million people and it's extremely diverse.

"So, a lot of the time it's a little bit more difficult to get everybody at the same table."

As well as visiting community centres, the LA visitors have been talking at special school assemblies in the area's primary schools.

"There is no age that is too young to start giving the message," he added.

"I think it is something they need to hear not only in schools but in the community and, more importantly, through their families."