KENNEDY AND TEATHER BACK SAFE AND SOUND GUN CRIME INITIATIVE

12.45.20pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 8th Feb 2005

Charles Kennedy and Sarah Teather on a walkabout with Brent police

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Charles Kennedy was yesterday joined by Sarah Teather MP as he launched the Safe and Sound gun crime initiative in Kilburn. The initiative aims to promote local awareness and get communities actively involved in helping the police to tackle gun crime.

Commenting on the launch of the Safe and Sound Gun Crime initiative, Charles Kennedy MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats said:

"The impact of gun crime here in Brent is devastating for communities. Safe and Sound do fantastic work helping to reduce crime, help people protect themselves and make residents less vulnerable.

"By stepping up intelligence-led operations and securing prosecutions, we can tackle the problem at its root. Operations like Trident here in London have been successful in targeting gunmen, drug dealers linked to gun crime and gun suppliers.

"But their success relies on working closely with communities, and the willingness of members of the community to come forward. Safe and Sound Gun Crime Initiative is a important step towards this."

Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather said:

"I know how hard the team work in South Kilburn in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. Too often in Brent we have seen the impacts of gun crime, just recently we were all painfully reminded of its terror with the shooting in Griffin Close.

"I am very optimistic that this project will make a real difference locally."