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Almost two out of three women caught with firearms are not prosecuted, according to police figures today. Most of these cases involved gas and pepper sprays.
The Met said 88 of 140 women caught carrying a weapon were given cautions in 2008-9. Of the remaining suspects, 47 were charged and five were handed youth reprimands.
Similar numbers of women had cautions in the previous two years.
The figures emerged after the force's anti-shooting Trident unit launched a campaign warning wives and girlfriends of gangsters not to carry their guns. More teenage girls were being asked to hold weapons by criminals trying to avoid the five-year minimum prison sentence.
Claudia Webbe, who advises Scotland Yard on gun crime issues, said she was “shocked” by the number of cautions. But a police spokesman insisted the “vast majority” of the cases involved the illegal sprays.
He said officers will push for a prosecution when guns are found.
Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has said many violent criminals are let off, with an “uncontrollable” increase in cautions and fixed penalties.
Reader views (12)
Instead of carrying weapons for self defence , why don't they take a policeman with them everywhare , 24/7?
Nice Makarov in that picture!
- Alex Clark, Highlands of Scotland, 18/03/2010 22:30
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NO! No! No!
There is no gun crime. There can NOT be. They BANNED guns, remember?
- Furor Teutonicus, Berlin. Deutschland, 09/12/2009 08:48
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So, if one of you anti-weapon zealots were confronted by a crackhead rapist in an ally one night, you'd gladely choose a handbag over a handgun or can of pepperspray? Please, for the love of humanity, wake up from this fantasy world and realize that the government can't protect you, only you can. Be responsible for your own self-defence, and don't have the nerve to criticize those who do so.
- Armbritaindotcom, Nanny State UK, 20/11/2009 11:47
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They should - must - be jailed, if we're ever going to stamp out this plague of illegal guns. You'll be just as dead if you catch a stray bullet from a gun fired by a woman. She's just as much demonstrating a premeditated willingness to murder someone as a man would be.
The rule should be very simple. Get caught carrying an illegal firearm, go to jail.
- Nigel, London, 19/11/2009 15:40
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Hansel: it's illegal to carry a gun - even to 'protect' yourself.
Dhan Raj: unfortunately it's also illegal to carry CS spray.
The police are meant to be there to protect women: they should not need to protect themselves. How many women do you know who carry a gun to protect themselves?! I didn't even when I lived in South Africa! If they're carrying a gun, it's for no good reason: when is someone going to admit that far from being 'tough on crime', the UK Government has not kept the number of prison places available synchronised with the rise in population and it has to let seemingly 'lesser' criminals walk off thumbing their noses at the police - and society in general.
- Roz, France, 19/11/2009 15:36
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Prosecute them, imprison them and if in any way a non-uk passport holder, deport them straight from the prison gates. Protect the UK nationals human rights, especialy the right to life.
- Julie, London, 19/11/2009 15:12
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Prosecute them. Instead of guns they could carry CS spray. Thety are carrying these guns for their boyfriends knowing fyll well they won't be prosecuted.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 19/11/2009 14:51
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Women should be treated exactly the same as men found to be carrying a gun or similar weapon. Equal Opportunities?
- Volpone, London, London, 19/11/2009 14:51
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I don´t have a problem with women carrying pepper sprays and defensive sprays for their own protection, but guns are a different matter. The police should certainly prosecute in such cases.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 19/11/2009 14:05
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What a stupid, sexist policy. What better way to send a message to gangsters that getting women to carry their hardware is virtually risk free.
- Austen, London, 19/11/2009 13:43
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You couldn't make it up, carrying a life threatening weapon is a little more serious than riding a bike on the pavement. Little wonder its a zoo in parts of London Only a illegal potentially blinding spray oh that's ok then. Somebody has to get a grip and quick before the hearses start gridlocking the system
- Michael Joseph Ferris, Nottingham, 19/11/2009 13:18
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It's a profound irony that women are even cautioned for the very reason of trying to protect themselves due to the failings of the people who are issuing the caution!
I agree that 'gun mules' should be prosecuted but the rest are merely trying to protect themselves.
- Hansel, London, 19/11/2009 13:07
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