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Warning to gangs at funeral of Salford's 'Mr Big' Paul Massey Warning to gangs at funeral of Salford's 'Mr Big' Paul Massey
(about 3 hours later)
Armed police will be on standby for the funeral of a man once dubbed Salford's Mr Big.Armed police will be on standby for the funeral of a man once dubbed Salford's Mr Big.
Security boss and convicted criminal Paul Massey, 55, was shot by a masked gunman at his home in Salford last month. Security boss and convicted criminal Paul Massey, 55, was shot by a masked gunman at his home last month.
Supt Mark Kenny of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) appealed to criminal gangs "not take action into their own hands". Supt Mark Kenny, of Greater Manchester Police, appealed to criminal gangs "not take action into their own hands".
He said uniformed officers will not be at the funeral but armed response teams will be available if needed. He said uniformed officers would not be at the funeral but armed response teams will be available if needed.
'Family day''Family day'
"Do not take action into your own hands," said Mr Kenny in a BBC interview, appealing directly to criminals. "Speak to the police, speak to us."Do not take action into your own hands," said Mr Kenny in a BBC interview, appealing directly to criminals. "Speak to the police, speak to us.
"I very much hope it is a family day and it is very much about respect for the family. If anything did happen we will respond appropriately and deal with it.""I very much hope it is a family day and it is very much about respect for the family. If anything did happen we will respond appropriately and deal with it."
He also said that, contrary to some reports, Mr Massey was "absolutely not" a mediator for police.He also said that, contrary to some reports, Mr Massey was "absolutely not" a mediator for police.
Mr Kenny denied that Salford was "a lawless city" and "at the heart of it there is a really good community."Mr Kenny denied that Salford was "a lawless city" and "at the heart of it there is a really good community."
But he acknowledged there are "areas of deprivation and individuals who sometimes come together and cause serious crime".But he acknowledged there are "areas of deprivation and individuals who sometimes come together and cause serious crime".
Gangs targetedGangs targeted
Mr Kenny said although there were 19 gangs in Salford, "clearly they are a minority in Salford engaged in criminality." Some are in prison and some are under investigation. Mr Kenny said although there were 19 gangs in Salford, "clearly they are a minority in Salford engaged in criminality."
GMP officers have targeted gangs in the city and since January have made 100 arrests and have eight money laundering investigations. They have also seized 26 firearms, more than £9m of drugs money and large amounts of ammunition. Police have targeted gangs in the city and since January have made 100 arrests and have eight money laundering investigations. They have also seized 26 firearms, more than £9m of drugs money and large amounts of ammunition.
In 1999, Mr Massey was sentenced to 14 years for stabbing a man in the groin outside a nightclub.In 1999, Mr Massey was sentenced to 14 years for stabbing a man in the groin outside a nightclub.
Seven years before that he was given the title Mr Big by the late Salford councillor Joe Burrows at a meeting to discuss civil disturbances in 1992 - which he always denied having anything to do with. He was given the title Mr Big by the late Salford councillor Joe Burrows at a meeting to discuss civil disturbances in 1992 - which he always denied having anything to do with.
In 2012, he was unsuccessful in a bid to become mayor of Salford, polling 1,995 votes - 4.45% of the poll - and came seventh out of 10 candidates.In 2012, he was unsuccessful in a bid to become mayor of Salford, polling 1,995 votes - 4.45% of the poll - and came seventh out of 10 candidates.