The recent conviction of 11 members of the Gooch Gang in Manchester has made a huge impact on the level of gun crime in the area. In a recent interview with Simon Donohue from the Manchester Evening News, Erinma Bell explained that efforts of the local community to overcome gang crime have had a important role in establishing peace.


When most people think about Manchester's Moss Side area, the words 'notorious' and 'gun crime' spring to mind. In a recent interview for the Manchester Evening News, peace campaigner Erinma Bell MBE talked about the common misconception. "Most people live their lives without any kind of trouble. They are genuinely shocked when they hear that someone here has been shot". Erinma argues that the real Moss Side is far removed from its 'Gunchester' image: "people want to live here because it's a great place to live in a great city".

Erinma is chairman of CARISMA - the Community Alliance for Renewal, Inner South Manchester Area - which CUF has supported since 2004.  The organisation has been active in building bridges between the community and the police and social services, helping to form an effective partnership against gang and gun culture which has contributed to a massive drop in gun crime.  Erinma is positive about the way that the community has come together to overcome problems with gang violence: "some people have really stuck their necks out and are saying, 'No matter what it takes, I'm going to end this'".


The full interview with Erinma Bell was published in the Manchester Evening News on 9 April 2009.