Calls to tackle armed crime gangs

A NEW policing approach is needed to take guns, bombs and drugs out of the hands of criminal gangs, it has been claimed.

CSO figures showed explosive and firearms offences have risen by more than 15% in the past three months while robberies, hijacking and extortion cases jumped by 20%.

There were more than 5,600 recorded drugs offences from April to June — a 15% increase.