Gun offences rise as crime down 12%

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There were 9,967 gun-related crimes last year, a rise of 373 compared with 2006, although gun deaths fell from 56 to 49.

Separate quarterly recorded crime figures showed overall crime fell by 12% in the final three months of last year.

However, there was a 20% rise in drug crime, which Home Office statisticians said was due to growing use of cannabis warnings introduced after the drug was downgraded to Class C.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "Ministers must get tough on guns.

"We need more intelligence-led stop and search and greater police effort to win the trust of blighted communities, as that is the most effective way of pinpointing problems."

Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "Violent crime has doubled under this Government.

"The latest figures show that drug and gun crime continue to rise unabated.

"The rising tide of violence on our streets is the consequence of Labour's lax approach to law enforcement, and failure to address the causes of crime."

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "We have recently published a violent crime action plan and have made it clear that anyone who considers carrying a firearm or other offensive weapon will be subject to swift, severe punishment."