7:00am Monday 9th August 2010
By Martin George
Gun crime in Kingston rose 160 per cent in the past 12 months, at a time when overall incidents in the capital only increased by 10 per cent.
According to the Metropolitan Police, 26 gun crimes were recorded in Kingston in the 12 months up to June 2010, compared with 10 incidents between July 2008 and June 2009.
The 26 incidents included the discovery of an antique shotgun at a Surbiton pub in January, the discovery of a gun at Kingston College in February, and the brandishing of an imitation firearm during an attempted robbery at a New Malden newsagents in June.
London-wide, 3,435 gun crimes were recorded in the past 12 months, compared with 3,102 in previous period.
A Kingston police spokesman said: “Gun crime in Kingston is low, as a result any increase can appear significant in overall figures.
“The majority of incidents intimate a gun has been involved but has not actually been seen. Among any gun related incident in Kingston, never has an actual firearm been discharged.
“None of the gun related incidents in Kingston have been gang or drug related.
“Various other articles are classified also under the firearms figures, for example CS/pepper spray, BB guns, air rifles and Taser guns.”
Last year the Met launched a London-wide campaign targeted at 15 to 19 year-old women, warning that hiding or holding firearms for others can carry a five year prison sentence.
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