Mum's fury over council gun gaffe

Jul 6 2006 By Tony Deeley

A MOTHER who runs a support group for the victims of gun crime today hit out at Sandwell Council's publication of a leaflet which showed a young girl pointing a pistol at the head of another.

The flier was produced by a community arts group for distribution to primary schools in the borough to promote holiday activities .

It was emailed to teachers last week to copy and distribute among pupils before it was realised it was likely to cause offence.

Red-faced education chiefs withdrew the picture, amended the leaflet and issued an apology after complaints were received from race relations boss Dr Derrick Campbell.

Dr Campbell, who is chief executive of Race Equality Sandwell, said the picture had caused deep offence to the black community.

Today Great Barr mother and grandmother Thelma Sinclair, aged 49, whose support group Mothers In Pain comprises both black and white victims of gun crime and their relatives, congratulated the Birmingham Mail for bringing the issue to light. "For Sandwell Council to put out a picture depicting two young black girls in this way was a disgrace," she said.

"I was appalled when I saw the picture. It is an insult to the black community and sends out a very negative image.

"If we want to put a stop to gun crime we must all work together.

"Gun crime is not just a black issue but a world-wide problem and one for the community as a whole."

Sandwell Council's education spokesman, Coun Ian Jones, today pledged a crackdown to ensure mistakes of the same nature did not recur.

"Unfortunately we did not spot the image when the flyer was proofed for errors and I will be asking why.

"I am at a loss to understand how such an image could have been included.

"Certainly this was an oversight on our part due to deadline pressures and we are taking steps to ensure it cant happen again.

"We apologise sincerely for any distress caused and would like to stress our support for campaigns against gun crime."