Weapons swapped for toys in Mexico

(Vatican Radio) Authorities are reporting success with a festive guns for toys program in a tough district of Mexico City, to honour the memory of a 10 year old boy who was killed by a stray bullet. Ten year old Henrick Cuacuas was enjoying a Disney film in a move theatre, in the crime ridden district of Iztapalapa, when he was hit in the head and killed by a stray 9mm bullet from a gun battle raging outside. To commemorate Henrick's needless and tragic death, officials launched an appeal to locals to rid themselves of firearms...no questions asked for toys, computer equipment and even cash. The timing is apt because as well as Christmas, many people in Mexico also celebrate the ceremony of Three Kings on January 6th. So far, more than 70 handguns and more than 30 rifles have been handed in. It's a salving drop, but a significant one, in a caldron of violence, that has seen more than 70,000 people killed in Mexico's Drug War, which is verging on its seventh year.

Listen to the report by correspondent James Blears: