“Escalating friction” between gangs is behind the increase in gun crime in Luton, one of Bedfordshire’s top cops says.
Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Richer said armed police patrols, extra investment in intelligence and increased stop and search powers were being used to “impact on the psychology of offenders”.
Officers normally need to have reasonable grounds to stop and search members of the public, but the force is currently invoking Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, meaning they can search any individual without suspicion.
Beds Police has ramped up its response following the 16th firearms incident in the town this year.
A 16-year-old boy was shot in the back in Thricknells Close, Marsh Farm, in the early hours of Saturday morning. He is currently in hospital in a serious condition with what detectives are calling “life-changing injuries”.
“We think there’s some friction between loosely affiliated groups of youths and young men and that’s led to some violence, which has escalated,” said Mr Richer, adding: “Our intelligence indicates there are disputes between groups, and we will be targeting these individuals.”
The murder of Paul Foster in Lewsey Farm on April 9 appeared to be “generally linked in” to the situation, he said, and again appealed for the community to help bring offenders to justice.
“Often these offenders are quite young and they really need protecting from themselves. I appeal to mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters to pass on information in their own interests to prevent them from going down that road.”
Mr Richer said he understood public concern over the frequency with which shootings were occurring.
“I do accept the last incident has increased the threat level and public concern and we are devoting substantial resources into deterring people from carrying weapons,” he said. “Obviously we are concerned that there could be further incidents and we are doing everything we can do to prevent it.”
The crackdown was costing the force a lot of money he said, but insisted the response was “sustainable”, adding: “It’s got to be top priority for us at the moment.”