Speaking after meeting the mothers of murder victims Ucal Chin and Tyrone Gilbert, she said: " It was the fact the community was willing to act as one.
"I don't take the credit for what happened here. It is Greater Manchester Police and the local community who should take the credit.
"But it does demonstrate my argument that gun and gang crime are not inevitable. That is a message we need to get out."
The deaths of Ucal and Tyrone led to nine members of the gang - including lynchpins Colin Joyce and Lee Amos - being jailed earlier this year. Since they were taken off the streets, shootings in Greater Manchester have fallen by 92 per cent.
Ms Smith said the two victims' mums - Vivian Chin and Barbara Myrie - recognised how much work had gone into bringing the case to court.
She said: "It doesn't bring their sons back but it does show we are working alongside the police and community to bring to justice those responsible for such crimes.
"The fact there has been a 90 per cent reduction in gun crime is not just a statistic.
Mrs Smith added: "It shows young people that if they want protection and to get on with their lives, it is the police that will provide it.
"They won't be protected by getting involved in gangs."
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Here is a bit of news for you Ms Jacqui (everyone picks on me because I'm a woman) Smith; absolutely no one is crediting you or your Government for the magnificent work that GMP did in bringing these criminals to justice.
Talk about jumping on a bandwagon, was anybody going to give the government, or her in particular,any credit for them being locked up in the first place?
Now what about the Salford gang ? They seem heavily involved in security and even run a security firm which has major contracts. Also, what about the Cheetham Hill gang ? (I appreciate the police are terrified of stirring up racial tensions in this area and are playing into the hands of this mob). And I believe there are another Moss Side Gang. called Donnington to think about. GMP seem to have allowed some criminals to flourish as long as they don't use guns ! I know for a fact some of the salford gangsters are doing very nicely as they regularly go out splashing the cash in wilmslow and drive top of the range cars.
I hate to be a party pooper but in order to get the police's attention you first need to be in the sort of situation that these people were in which is basically crisis point. The police will not do anything unless the situation is dire and virtually everybody on a street or in an area comes forward. We had drug dealing on our street and the polices response was put up with it or move because we don't have the resources to do anything about 'the little fish' they are only interested in the 'big boys', and our area is a good area not a stereotypical drug ravaged area.
If this was an end of year report card then it would read 'GMP really must do better' - don't forget it's us that pay their wages through tax.
Can I ask the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith if we could have a 24/7 webcam installed into Joyce's cell? I want to watch what it's like to be in a concrete room day in/day out for the next 30+ years.
Every time I see this woman, I just cringe. I feel so ashamed to be in a country where someone so ill equipped, can hold the honourable and historic post of Home Secretary.
who cares? you're out of a job soon jacqui! get in line in the dole queue. scrounge more money off us tax payers!