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<p>The UK has some of the toughest gun laws in the world and an excellent record on
enforcement. As a result firearm offences make up a small proportion of overall recorded
crime.</p><p> </p><p>We are in regular discussion with police forces and the National
Ballistics Intelligence Service to monitor gun crime levels. The ONS statistics show
that firearms offences are 34% lower than they were a decade ago, though there has
been an increase nationally in recent years. The opposite has been the case in Merseyside
in recent years, with firearms offences falling. However, we know incidents where
a firearm has been discharged have increased over the last year in Merseyside.</p><p>
</p><p>We continue to work closely with law enforcement partners to ensure that we
have the right intelligence, detection and enforcement capabilities internationally,
at the UK border and within the UK. For example, firearms controls have been strengthened
through the Policing and Crime Act 2017 and a multi-agency firearms unit has been
established. On 5<sup>th</sup> September this unit was awarded £2.4m of Police Transformation
Funding. We are also introducing statutory guidance for the police on firearms licensing
to ensure that the robust processes in place for assessing an individual’s suitability
to own a gun are applied consistently. Last year we initiated a new firearms science
and technology programme, committing £2m over two years, to the development of automatic
threat detection technology.</p><p> </p><p>The 2015 Spending Review protected police
funding in real terms, assuming Police and Crime Commissioners maximise precept. Since
then, police forces have received broadly flat cash direct resource funding and we
are increasing investment in transformation and improved communications and technology
capabilities. As a result, Merseyside police force received £500,000 more in 2017/18
compared with 2015/16. However, the Government recognises that the police have faced
significant challenges this year. We have, therefore, set in hand a programme of engagement
to understand better the demands they face, and how these can best be managed. As
part of this, the Minister for Policing and Fire Minister will be visiting a number
of forces, including Merseyside, over the next few months.</p>
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