AS the latest teenage victim of Manchester's gun wars was laid to rest today, the community of Moss Side delivered this message to the gangsters: `Enough is enough.'

Thousands of mourners from across the country were expected at the funeral of Jessie James, 15, who was shot dead last month.

On the day he is buried, the M.E.N. can reveal details of a report that highlights the `get rich or die trying' culture of Manchester gangs - and offers some radical solutions.

Researchers went into a prison to discover how young men get involved in guns and crime. They also spoke to Manchester residents, churchgoers, community workers and academics.

There have been at least ten shootings in south Manchester since December. In many cases, the armed attackers have never been caught. Jessie was the 24th man to be shot dead in the area since 1999.

The report was drafted by Erinma Bell, from anti-gun violence campaigners Carisma, and Gus John, a professor at Strathclyde University who has been an activist in Moss Side and similar communities for forty years.

It recognises that `silence is collusion with murder' cites a fear of talking to the police and parents turning a blind eye to their children's involvement in crime as major issues.

It contains a radical ten-point action plan aimed at putting the pride back in Moss Side. Suggestions include:

* Inspiring gang members to use the resourcefulness they use on the streets for legitimate projects like youth work and business

* Recruiting volunteers from the community to support young men in prison who want to turn their back on gang life

* Isolating those who harbour gangsters

* Supporting the mothers of young thugs

* Pressuring the community to make role models of those who resist the lure of gang life

* Encouraging young men to report the `big fish' who terrorise communities, and provide safe houses for people who give information for the police.

The `Enough is Enough' report calls for a culture where `we ram home the message that guns and knives are not cool'.

There will now be a series of meetings to discuss how to get funding to make the proposals a reality.

Prof John said that he and community leaders know who is involved in gun crime and those at risk from becoming involved.

He said awareness needed to be raised of the social problems that allow gangs to flourish - racism, poverty, poor achievement in school, a lack of black and ethnic minority representation in positions of influence, and a `get rich or die trying' culture fuelled by rap music.

Jessie's auntie, Milly Henry, backed the report. She said: "The proposals are positive and very interesting. My hope is that they can be implemented.

'Optimistic'

"I hope everybody comes to this project with a fresh mind, rather than thinking that whatever you try in Moss Side is hopeless."

Prof John said: "I'm optimistic we can make this a success, and have seen similar schemes work in Chicago and Port of Spain in Trinidad.

"At the same time as steering the young people in the right direction, we aim to unite the community against the violence which poses critical threat to its health. The gangsters may be able to intimidate one family, but they cannot intimidate a whole community." Det Supt Tony Cook, who is leading the investigation to trace Jessie's killers, said: "The sheer number of people in the local community who are paying tribute to Jessie James shows the impact that his death has had on the people of Moss Side.

"Jessie was well known in the community during his life but his death has touched many lives. People recognise that this could have been their son, brother, friend or relative."

He added: "The community is in mourning for Jessie but if we are to make sure that his life has not been lost in vain, we need the community to pull together to help us to catch his killers. "If you're covering for a murderer, ask how you'll feel when another young victim gets shot and killed."

* Anyone with any further information about the people responsible for Jessie's death can contact police on 856 4343.