MP: Lethal lifestyle of guns taking over city

A "lethal lifestyle" of guns and gangs is enveloping Wolverhampton, one of the city's MPs claimed today.

Despite the police ridding the streets of the "Mr Bigs", the city council has done nothing to stop the next generation of gangsters, according to Rob Marris. The Wolverhampton South West MP said there needed to be an improvement in youth facilities and education.

He said this would stop youngsters as young as 13 from falling into the lifestyle.

"The police do a good job of mowing the lawn but the council has done nothing to stop the grass from growing," he said.

"For a long time, our city has needed positive action to support vulnerable members of our community so they do not fall prey to gangs and get sucked into a potentially lethal lifestyle which hurts all of us.

"Sadly it looks as though Wolverhampton has been dragging its feet, for despite continued pressure from myself and a few others, very little progress has been made compared to the advances and best practice established elsewhere."

Mr Marris said the council needed to make good on an anti-gun crime action plan that was put together in 2007 and outlined a number of ways to engage with young people.

"I have seen no evidence whatsoever of any action apart from rhetorical consideration and the suggestion to draw up yet further plans," he said. "This is frustrating, extremely disappointing, and potentially puts lives at risk."

In recent times, there have been shootings at the Waggon & Horses pub in Cannock Road and Tropical Harmony nightclub and Gavin's Sports Bar in Bilston.

Councillor Barry Findlay, deputy leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said today: "We take this issue extremely seriously and have been working with a range of partners and groups to tackle the problem which has affected some of our communities."