GUN crime is a growing problem in Huddersfield.

And today a top police officer called for more legislation to curb the threat - particularly from fake weapons.

The town has one of the worst records of gun crime in West Yorkshire, figures revealed today.

But Chief Supt John Holt believes that the ease with which people can get hold of imitation guns is adding to the worries.

Huddersfield had 16 crimes of violence against the person with a firearms in the last seven months. Calderdale had 14, Bradford North 13 and Weetwood (Leeds) and Pudsey 13.

But Chief Supt Holt, commander of Huddersfield police, pointed out that a significant number of the local incidents involved toy and imitation guns and this highlighted a major problem.

"For me there is a clear message about restrictions .

"You could go out of your office in Huddersfield and buy an imitation firearm in 10 minutes.

"You could go on holiday and bring back a whole arsenal in your suitcase that would look totally realistic.

"There is not enough legislation to combat this. It has fallen behind."

Chief Supt Holt admitted there was an increase in gun crime in general - and Huddersfield was not immune to this.

He added: "The increase is disturbing. We are focusing on new offenders.

"There is a small - and I must emphasis small - core group of offenders who feel it appropriate to carry firearms.

"We have had a number of significant operations against them and we will continue to focus on them," said Chief Supt Holt. "We will continue to ensure that we work to ensure that Huddersfield becomes a safer place for all.

"The vast majority of offences involving firearms are committed among the group that carry them."

A drive to crack down on street crime across West Yorkshire saw a 15.3% drop in the first five months of this year.

And West Yorkshire is the only force of the 10 in the Street Crime Initiative that is continuing to increase the number of arrests for street crime offences.

At the launch of the campaign, around 150 crimes such as thefts, robberies and carjackings took place in the area each week. There are now between 60 and 100.

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