THE MOTHER of murdered estate agent Tim Robinson has called for the police to be given new stop and search powers.

Christine Hills spoke out yesterday after Home Secretary David Blunkett announced that firearms laws are to be tightened following a steep rise in gun crime.

In future anyone caught carrying a gun will face an automatic five-year jail term.

It follows the murder of two teenage girls who were caught up in a New Year gun battle between rival gangs in Birmingham.

Mr Blunkett's announcement came as Mrs Hills prepared to mark the anniversary of her son's murder outside his London home.

Mr Robinson, 25, a former Durlston Court and Canford School pupil, was stabbed through the heart during an attempt to steal his £20,000 Audi.

Mrs Hills said: "It's not just guns - it's knives, hammers and anything else that can be used to kill people. I lost my son and now two sets of parents in Birmingham have lost their daughters.

"It's all very well Mr Blunkett saying that new laws can't be introduced overnight, but my son was stabbed almost 12 months ago. If people armed with knives and guns knew they were liable to be stopped and searched it might make them think twice, which could save a life."