Britain’s first gun crime database was today launched to track bullets used in the UK.

The new £8million National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) will provide a specialist analysis of all ballistics in the UK in an effort to reduce gun crime and terrorist activity.
Opened by homes secretary Jacqui Smith in a secret location today, the service gives guns and bullets a "fingerprint" which will aid criminal investigations in the future.

The service which is being regarded by the police as the most important step forward in supporting the criminal investigation of hunting suspects are responsible for violent crimes using firearms. The new firearm analysis and ballistic investigation service will aid detectives in matching guns to offenders in double quick time. They can also trace which gun a bullet has been fired from when criminals are using it more than once.

Mrs Smith said: "Every gun or bullet tells a story. The National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) helps police unravel that story and track down offenders.

"NABIS's expert advice will help police take more guns off our streets and better protect our communities from gun-related crimes."

The NABIS Service will give detectives information on whether certain weapons have been used in crimes over a 48 hours time window which will help track down repeat offenders.

Chief Superintendent Paul James, NABIS programme manager, said: "By bringing together science, intelligence and technology we can unravel where a firearm has been used, by whom and why.

"The ability to link various crimes very quickly will prove to be invaluable."

As NABIS develops, it promises to give a clear indication of criminal trends and what types of weapons are commonly used.

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