A Labour backbencher has called for action to tackle the gun culture on Britain's inner city streets.

Diane Abbott used a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday to urge the government to step up efforts to fight the increasing use of guns.

Highlighting the problems in her Hackney North and Stoke Newington constituency, Abbott called for action to counter under-achievement by young black boys at school which forms part of the problem.

Home Office minister John Denham said the perception that the government and police forces were doing nothing was wrong.

The Metropolitan Police's Operation Trident campaign was targeting individuals and the new minimum sentence introduced by David Blunkett would have an effect.

Denham stressed there would be more support for local communities who wanted to speak out against gun crime.

He warned that the law would not deter hardened criminals such as armed robbers or drug dealers but it was vital to reach young people who considered a gun to be a fashion accessory.

"What we need to do is to send out the most powerful message to those people who have only recently started carrying guns to make it clear that it is not worth the cost," said Denham.