Discussions about gun control and small arms trafficking, violence in the streets and against ethnic groups, as well as the engagement by churches in peacemaking activities consumed the first days of a 10-day visit to the United States by an international team.

Church leaders in Manchester are calling a meeting with community leaders and other agencies to discuss what many see as a worrying growth of gun crime in the region. But the issue remains one of credibility and practical alternatives

Britain's Street Pastors scheme, a church based response to crime and gun violence in inner cities across the country, will host to a delegation of Antiguan Government Ministers, Police officials and Church Leaders when they arrive this weekend on a fact finding mission.