The force’s relentless pursuit of those involved in gun crime has contributed to a significant reduction in firearms discharges across Greater Manchester. During 2025/26, there were just 16 recorded, representing a 45 per cent reduction compared to 2024/25 (29) and a 77 per cent reduction compared to 2021 (71). Since the 1 April 2026 the force has seen just three discharges.
This sustained reduction has seen less firearms incidents on our streets, which will have undoubtably prevented potential serious violence and saved lives.
The firearms we have recovered have come from proactive policing operations, targeted warrants and intelligence-led investigations carried out by local district officers and our Serious Organised Crime Group.
Some of the weapons we have seized this year include self-loading pistols, revolvers, shotguns, machine guns and a range of other viable firearms.
In February of this year, we played a pivotal role in a nationwide operation targeting Italian manufactured, illegally converted blank-firing weapons called Bruni.
The amnesty encouraged anyone who owned one of following Bruni models to turn them into any Greater Manchester Police station, these were:
8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model 92 blank firing self-loading pistol
8mm PAK Bruni BBM New Police blank firing self-loading pistol
8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model 96 blank firing self-loading pistol
8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model ‘GAP’ blank firing self-loading pistol
.380R (9mmK) PAK Bruni BBM ME Ranger single action blank firing revolver
As part of a month-long surrender and amnesty scheme, officers recovered 67 weapons – separate to the 63 firearms recovered during 2025/26 – along with several hundred rounds of ammunition.
You can read more about the initiative here: Sixty-seven blank-firing weapons handed in during month-long amnesty | Greater Manchester Police
In 2024, we recovered a EKOL Gediz 9mm blank firing, self-loading pistol belonging to Jason Varccianna who was jailed for nine years after being found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, and possession of an offensive weapon.
The recovery of the weapon came after officers searched this car after it was pulled over on Barlow Moor Road in Chorlton, because of the levels of tint on the windows. As the officer retrieved his vehicle kit to test the window tint, Varccianna locked his car and ran off. The vehicle was seized.
During the search, a firearm was found hidden under the passenger seat in a black plastic bag. You can read more about Varccianna’s case here: Man jailed for firearms offences after proactive traffic stop unravels criminal web of lies | Greater Manchester Police
In the same year, James Carroll-Dunphy from Wythenshawe was jailed for five-and-a-half years for possession of a firearm and possession with intent to supply class B drugs. A search of his home saw our officers seize black handgun wrapped in a towel, hidden in a wardrobe.
Since April 2021, we have recovered more than 420 viable firearms, with at least 143 of those identified as converted blank firers. The figures demonstrate the force’s ongoing efforts to disrupt organised criminality, reduce serious violence and prevent dangerous weapons from being used within our communities.
Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop from our Serious Crime Division said: “Every firearm we recover is a potential life saved. These weapons have no place on the streets of Greater Manchester and our officers work tirelessly every day to identify those involved in gun crime, disrupt organised criminality and remove dangerous weapons from circulation.
“The fact that firearms discharges have reduced by 77 per cent since 2021 shows the impact of our work, how our officers are relentless in taking firearms off the streets and how our intelligence-led operation are wiping out those who possess these weapons.
“Recovering more than 420 viable firearms since 2021 is a significant achievement, while these figures are encouraging, we are not complacent and remain absolutely committed to targeting more offenders who seek to bring violence and fear into our communities.”