§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been brought for offences involving air guns in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [172444]
§ Caroline FlintThe available information is given in the table.
Statistics for 2003 will be published in the autumn.
603W
Persons1 proceeded against for offences relating to air weapons, England and Wales 1998 to 2002 Offence description Statute 1998 1999 20002 2001 2002 Supplying air weapon to person denied them under Section 21
Ibid Section 21 (5) as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 157
Sch. 8 part III
— 1 — — — Carrying loaded air weapon in public place etc. Ibid Section 19 246 237 213 241 186 Trespassing with air weapon in a building Ibid Section 20(1) 1 2 6 1 2 Trespassing with air weapon on land Ibid Section 20(2) 76 35 30 35 32 Person under 17 acquiring air weapon Ibid Section 22(1) 6 3 3 2 — Person under 14 having with him an air weapon or ammunition therefore
Ibid Section 22(4) 9 13 21 12 7 Person under 17 having with him an air weapon in a public place
Ibid Section 22(5) 60 68 66 66 51 Person under 14 making improper use of air weapon when under supervision
Ibid Section 23(1) 2 — 1 1 1 Person supervising person under 14, permitting improper use of air weapon
Ibid Section 23(1) — — 2 — — Selling or letting on hire an air weapon to person under 17
Ibid Section 24(1) — — — — — Supplying air weapon to person under 14 Ibid Section 24(4) 1 2 4 2 2 Supplying air weapon to person drunk or insane Ibid Section 25 — — — — — Failure to hand over air weapon or ammunition on demand by constable
Ibid Section 47(2) — — — — — Total 696 657 647 592 540 1 These data are on the principal offence: basis. 2 Excludes figures for Staffordshire.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on preventing(a) crimes and (b) accidents involving air guns. [172447]
§ Caroline FlintThe Government are determined to tackle all aspects of gun crime and the underlying culture that supports it, working with the police and other statutory agencies, the voluntary sector and local communities, to tackle gun crime on a variety of fronts.
We have recently introduced measures in the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 raising the age limit to 17 for owning air weapons and making it an offence to have an air weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. This means that the police can now challenge anybody seen in a public place with an air weapon and arrest them if they are unable to give a satisfactory explanation.
The Home Office produces a leaflet on the safe use of air weapons and arrangements have been made for a copy to be included with all new purchases.