Gun violence in Greater Manchester has fallen sharply, with firearms discharges down from 71 in 2020-21 to 16 in the 12 months to April 2026.
That represents a 77.5% drop over five years. The region has also gone three and a half years without a fatal shooting.
Police and communities credited with progress
Greater Manchester Police says it has recovered more than 420 viable firearms since April 2021, including 63 in the latest 12-month period. Many were blank-firing guns converted into working weapons.
Police have targeted organised crime groups and weapons linked to retaliatory shootings. Changes to firearms legislation also mean that possessing one of these blank-firing weapons can now carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years, even if it has not been converted.
GMP said tougher sentences for gun crime had helped reduce offending. Community campaigner Prof Erinma Bell also pointed to prevention work and positive alternatives for young people.
The improvement is substantial, but campaigners stressed that gun violence has not disappeared. Sixteen firearms discharges were still recorded in the latest year.
Why it matters for Britain
Fewer shootings mean safer communities across Greater Manchester, while removing hundreds of viable firearms reduces the risk of further violence. The figures also underline the contribution of local prevention groups alongside policing.
