A front page of the Manchester Evening News showing the faces of all the people who have been killed by guns over the past eight years has prompted the Chief Constable of Manchester Police force to divert more resources to the problem.
There has been a sharp rise in shootings in the city in the past month and 55 people have been killed since 1999.
News editor Sarah Lester said: ‘I have been surprised at the impact it has had locally, to the extent where the Chief Constable has come up with half a million pounds to put into policing in the hotspot areas.
‘I have never known a story or image have an impact like this. It’s really started the debate about how to get guns off the streets.
‘In showing the faces, it made people see them not just as gang members but people. We’ve had loads of feedback from the public and a lot of political feedback.
The MEN has appointed Chris Osuh to cover Moss Side and Hulme – two of the worst areas for gun crime.
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