BATLEY and Spen MP Mike Wood has welcomed a pledge from the Government to clamp down on bullet-making components.

Mr Wood, whose constituent, Pc Ian Broadhurst, was murdered in Leeds with home-made ammunition, has been at the forefront of a campaign to restrict the ease with which criminals can make ammunition.

The killer bought the components and machinery to make his own bullets over the counter, with no questions asked.

Pc Broadhurst's mother, Cindy Eaton, launched the campaign to close a lethal loophole in the law.

Mr Wood has been working closely with her and secured Prime Minister Tony Blair's support after raising the issue in the Commons.

The announcement was made by Mr Blair and Home Secretary Charles Clarke as they outlined Labour's plans to tackle crime.

The Government says it will ban the sale of primers and other components needed to make ammunition to anyone without a valid gun or ammunition certificate.

Mr Wood said: "I am delighted the Government has committed itself to restricting the sale of ammunition components.

"The campaign's goal was to have the components and machinery treated in the same way as firearms and manufactured ammunition. The Government says it will do this.

"I'm pleased the Government has listened to the concerns of people like Cindy, the judge in the trial of her son's killer and all those MPs who supported the campaign I ran in Parliament."