CRACK-FUELED CRIME SOARS IN BRITAIN

January 6, - A rise in gun crime - including two shocking
murders on New Year's Eve - has sparked calls throughout Great Britain
for tougher gun laws and a crackdown on gangland warfare erupting in
drug-fueled turf wars.

Crime, linked to crack cocaine gangs who control the lucrative trade,
has soared in inner cities.

The crime problem is a far cry from U.S. gun culture, but Britain has
lost its image as a tranquil land, where unarmed police officers, or
"bobbies," once patrolled the streets and murders were rare enough to
be front page news.

Firearm offenses have risen 42 percent - from 12,410 in 1997 to 17,589
in 2001 - and show no signs of slowing down.

Guns - from the Israeli-made Uzi submachine gun to the American Ingram
Mac 10 - are snapped up on the black market and often treated as
fashion accessories.

"These are not trained killers; they are immature people with very
potent weapons," said Commander Alan Brown of Scotland Yard.