MANCHESTER has been gripped by another weekend of gun terror as the inquest into the death of Jessie James begins.

Leading figures from the community and authorities have today called for a crisis meeting as the sickening escalation in gun violence continues.

Three incidents over the weekend have added to the city's misery. On Sunday, less than a mile away from where Jessie was killed, afternoon drinkers and their children fled for cover as a gunman opened fire outside a pub beer garden.

The attack happened in broad daylight at 5pm at the Arch Bar on Stretford Road in Hulme. A 25-year-old man was hit in the abdomen and leg and taken to hospital where he had emergency surgery. His injuries were not thought to be life threatening.

That attack came less than 24 hours after a 20-year-old man was shot at in Levenshulme. On Saturday evening the victim was approached by a group of men on bikes while driving along Collingwood Road. He refused to get out of the vehicle and as he drove off a shot was fired at the car, smashing its back window. The man escaped unharmed.

And on Saturday morning a van on Knutsford Road in Gorton was found with a bullet hole after it had been shot at.

Outrage

This morning the enquiry into 15-year-old Jessie's death began at Manchester Crown Court. His murder, in Moss Side last September, sparked outrage and pleas for an end to the gun violence that has plagued the city.
 
But it appears as though there is no end in sight.
 
Speaking to our sister TV station Channel M this morning Barbara Reid, Jessie’s mum, claimed that the ‘glamorisation’ of gang culture among communities was partly to blame.
 
She was joined by Geoff Thompson MBE, founder of the Manchester-based community charity Youth Charter, who led the call for a summit.

“What is happening is an absolute tragedy. We hear words from the police and the council but no actions.” he said.

“This inquest is not just an inquest into Jessie’s death it’s an inquest into all of us - the council, the police, the communities and the young men and women who think this is the only lifestyle for them. Now is the time for everyone to get together and make sure what is agreed on is carried out.”

His calls were backed by Central Manchester MP Tony Lloyd, who represents the Hulme area. He stressed that the voices of grassroots activists and former gang members should be heard and said: “We do have to seize every opportunity for taking this forward and offering a generation of young people a way out. There is a lot of good work being done but none of us should be so proud that we don’t listen to others.”

Challenging

Bishop of Manchester Nigel McCullough said he would welcome the chance to work more closely with other churches in challenging gun culture.

He added: “It is no good having a summit just of high-ups. We need to have people who are involved on the ground, people like the street pastors, who know what approaches work and which don’t. We have to get together to make sure this violence doesn’t carry on.”
 
Chief Supt Dave Keller said: “There are times when we experience spates of shooting incidents and action is taken very quickly to deal with it.

“Unfortunately, when spates like this occur, intense media coverage and speculation heightens people’s fear and can often lead to unjustified labels being thrust upon communities.
 
“In fact, gun crime in Greater Manchester can generally be attributed to individuals or small groups of people who use guns to settle disputes.
 
“We are working tirelessly to find out who those people are but we need the community to come forward with information so that we can turn hearsay and rumour into hard evidence and bring those responsible to justice.”

Responding to Mr Thompson’s call for new crisis talks, he said: “We have held numerous “summits” over the past eighteen months with the City Council and local community members and we will continue to do so.”

Asked if the latest spate of shootings were linked he said: “Police are investigating whether the recent firearms incidents are linked.”

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