New Clause 7 - Firearms: international co-operation and general duty of the Secretary of State
Crime (International Co-operation) Bill [Lords]
3:45 pm
Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)
I am sure that there is a huge amount of good intention on the part of Ministers and officials in the Home Office and, of course, of police forces throughout the country. Sad to say, however, the fact remains that if one talks to senior officers in law enforcement, they say that one of the things that they are most worried about is the ever-increasing use of guns in all types of crime. In particular, one hears that some organised criminals coming into this country from such countries as Albania are much more inclined that way than the admittedly serious criminals whom we have had here in the past. It has been said to me that the difference with the Albanians is that they literally, in the words of the old west, shoot first and ask questions afterwards. They seem to have no hesitation at all. Senior officers have suggested to
me that Albanians are much more difficult serious, organised criminals to deal with than any others that the forces of law and order in this country have ever met. A further issue is the increased use of firearms by yardie criminals.
I have said that there is plenty of good intent on the part of Home Office Ministers and their officials, but we all know, to use the old phrase, that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.