Gun Crime

The CPS is working hard to build successful cases in the fight against gun crime.

Greater Manchester  was one of the first parts of the CPS to deliver updated Guns and Gangs training both to lawyers and paralegal officers. In addition, they have trained lawyers from other areas and from CPS Direct - the telephone based service which provides the Police with out-of-hours charging decisions and advice.

Recent notable prosecutions include Operation Viola  which resulted in the jailing of eleven prominent members of Manchester's Gooch Gang for a combined period of over 200 years - in what was the biggest gang trial ever seen in Greater Manchester.

In conjunction with the Police, the CPS in Greater Manchester has introduced the 'Come Forward' project, intended to raise awareness amongst community groups of the special measures available - especially anonymity and voice distortion.

The North West Area is served by a Complex Casework Unit with lawyers and paralegal staff who specialise in cases involving the most serious offences and, in particular, organised crime and gang related offences.