22 February 2007
Tony Blair was joined at Number 10 by police officers and community groups to discuss how to tackle the problems of gun and gang-related crime.
John Reid and crime prevention experts were also involved in talks which focused on three main areas for action - policing, powers and prevention.
Four young men have died in shooting incidents across London in recent weeks, including three teenagers.
The roots of the problem go "very deep" within some families and communities, Tony Blair told the meeting.
But areas of otherwise peaceful, law-abiding citizens whose lives are blighted by the "guns and gangs" culture need "help and relief", he said.
Sat next to the PM were Pat Regan, who works with young people in Leeds and whose son was murdered, and Michelle Forbes, from campaign group Mothers Against Guns.
Despite the recent incidents, figures show that gun crime is decreasing - there was a 14 per cent fall last year and the lowest number of gun homicides since 1998/99.
Later in the day, the PM headed to Manchester where he met with footballer Rio Ferdinand at the Zion Arts Centre in Hulme, to talk with locals about battling guns and gangs.
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