Figures detail fall in gun crime

Gun crime is at its lowest level for five years, according to the figures

The police in Nottinghamshire deal with a gun crime on average every other day, according to the Home Office figures.

Figures for 2006/2007, released under the Freedom of Information Act, showed 196 firearm offences - with the weapon fired in almost half the cases.

This led to 48 people being injured, in one case fatally.

However, the statistics showed firearms offences falling to their lowest level in five years, now being roughly in line with the national average.

In more than 50 cases the firearm was unidentified, while handguns were used in committing 68 offences and ball bearing guns in 28 instances.

Pepper spray, CS gas and stun guns also injured 15 people.

The police said they were working hard with communities to bring gun crime levels down.

In Greater London and Greater Manchester, the likelihood of falling victim to gun crime is more than twice that in Nottinghamshire.