Manchester Metro News 27th March 2006

SHOTGUNS and pistols have been handed into the police this week in the wake of a gun battle between Manchester and Salford gangs.
Two shotguns and two handguns were surrendered at mobile police stations in Moss Side and Longsight, along with ammunition, knives and other weapons, after the force launched a weapons amnesty.
The Good Riddance To Guns amnesty allows people to hand in weapons anonymously and without fear of prosecution for unlawful possession. It will continue until this Sunday, March 26.
Carlton Alveranga, 20, and Richard Donny Austin, 19, were shot dead after they burst into the Brass Handles pub in Pendleton and opened fire with handguns on two 27-year-old Salford men.
Alveranga, from Moss Side, and Austin, from Hulme, died from single gunshot wounds to the chest but police would not confirm whether they had suffered other bullet wounds.
Police chiefs say despite the recent spate of shootings, firearms discharges are down by 11 per cent compared to the same period last year and down 22 per cent compared to two years ago, when the city lived with the unwelcome nickname of Gunchester.
Chief Inspector Andy Towler said: "Every weapon that is handed in is one more that cannot be used in gun crime or violence.
"The message we want to send out is very simple; we want your weapon not your name. This is an ideal opportunity for people living in Manchester to gain peace of mind as they say good riddance to guns and other weapons.
"Taking guns and knives off our streets will save lives and cut crime."
The amnesty was launched as part of Peace Week, in partnership with anti-gun group Community Alliance for Renewal in the Inner South Manchester Area (Carisma).
Pain Keeble, vice chairman of Carisma, said: "We have recently had a painful reminder of the damage that is done when people carry weapons.
"Peace Week is about restoring community relations and building peace and we welcome this opportunity to get rid of weapons as a further step to restoring trust and developing a peaceful community"

But Moss Side street pastor and radio DJ Anthony Weekes believes more needs to be done to rebuild respect in communities.
Anthony, 38, who is known also as Juggla, said: "I've lived in the Moss Side community all my life. "The issue of respect has many facets in this mainly West Indian community I am part of The rebuilding of respect will require the input of all parts of our wider community, including the authorities and the media.
"The death of my nephew a couple of years ago due to a shooting in which he died on the doorstep of his uncle's house was not only a personal trauma for me and my family, but also a very public happening.
"Death on our streets is something that happens all too often. It can be the cause of growing anger, a call for revenge, and another stage in the cycle of attacks and counter attacks."Not on this occasion though. I want to be a man of peace. I want my family to grow up in such a way that we value life. The line of violence stopped here. Instead, I show the community my serious commitment to the area and my commitment to bring about change.'

SURRENDERED: This gun, held by Sgt. Pete Atkinson, was given in during this week's amnesty. PICTURE: ANDY LAMBERT

Police are investigating the possibility that the Salford shootings were commissioned "hits" as a result of a gang member being punched in the face in Manchester city centre.
"I have also become a street pastor," added Anthony. "Together with other street pastors, I walk the streets of Moss Side in the evenings, in the night. I invest in people; I build relationships with them; I talk straight with the youths. They respect that. "Also, while I had not shown emotions of sadness ever since I was a child, since the bereavement in my family I have changed. Sometimes, 1 even cry in public. Young men, many of whom have become hardened, need to see tears again. Even better, they need to feel tears again themselves.
"Rebuilding respect will take us all. It will take us all to become more open in what goes on in our lives, and to show an interest in one another, to show self-control in order to stop the pattern of violence.
"It will also need the police to become more interested in young people. Nowadays, we don't know the local bobby by name. We don't even know his number.
"It would do us all good is the police would know the people better and the people, especially the youths, know the police by name and have built a relationship of trust with them.
"We need to invest time getting to know one another, for it is the ignorance that breeds distrust and disrespect."