Eight held in gun crime operation

More than 170 addresses are being searched

Eight people have been arrested and firearms seized after police raided 21 houses in Manchester as part of an ongoing crackdown on gun crime.

Hundreds of officers began moving in convoy into the Moss Side and Trafford areas of the city early on Thursday.

Greater Manchester Police said they were searching 21 homes described as "key" addresses, and 150 others.

The raids follow high-profile shootings in Moss Side and Longsight last month in which three men were hurt.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of possessing ammunition, three for attempted murder, one for possession of a firearm, one for possession of drugs and one for possession of drugs with intent to supply.

Two handguns, components for firearms, a quantity of ammunition and a large quantity of class C drugs have also been discovered during searches.

Last week, Prime Minister Tony Blair and opposition leader David Cameron visited the city to talk to community leaders about the best way to tackle gun crime.

Extra police patrols are operating in Moss Side and Trafford

Police activity in the area is set to continue, with extra armed and unarmed officers on patrol.

They have been granted powers, allowing them to stop and search people to check if they are carrying weapons.

Supt John O'Hare said most people living at the addresses being searched would have "no idea" firearms were being stored in their homes and gardens.

He said: "In most cases, when officers knocked on their doors this morning and explained why they are there the people living in the houses were really cooperative and welcomed the action we are taking.

"I cannot stress enough how vital information from the community is and I want to encourage the vast majority of decent people to continue to come to us with information safe in the knowledge that anything they tell us will be treated in total confidence.

"We will continue to work with local people and organisations, to keep up the pressure on those intent on using guns."