Guns are coming to a city near you soon, warns Lucy Cope

Lucy Cope, whose 22-year-old son Damian was shot in 2002, told more than 100 community workers that many cities were under threat from gun-toting thugs.

Mrs Cope was speaking at the first 'Tackling guns and gang culture' summit which is being held in Leeds.

A police spokesman told the group that gun crime had a public ripple effect.

Coming your way

Mrs Cope told community workers attending the conference at Westwood Hall Hotel that London "has become a mini-Bronx, it is horrific.

"Leeds is not as bad as London, but don't hold your breath it's coming your way.

"Many lives are being destroyed by just one bullet. Even one death is one too many."

She founded the campaign group "Mothers Against Guns" which is pushing for life sentences without parole for those who murder with guns and for a ban on the sale of replica weapons.

She said on Wednesday: "The fear factor of gun crime is horrendous.

"Our kids are being deprived because of attitudes towards gun crime across the UK.

"Parents are keeping their children off the streets, not letting them out or to play in parks."

Every incident of gun crime has a critical effect on communities Det Supt Grahame Bullock

Her views were backed by Det Supt Grahame Bullock, of West Yorkshire Police, who leads the force's community safety department.

Speaking at the event, which was organised by the Leeds Community Safety Partnership, he said there was a "dichotomy" between the perception of gun crime and the reality.

"A high-profile killing has a significant impact and the perception goes further than just the people actually affected.

"We have to work to reassure people

"Sometimes there is a ripple effect and the perception becomes distorted."

Mr Bullock told the audience of youth workers, support groups and community officers the problems faced by Leeds were not as serious as those in Birmingham and Manchester.