Mexicans urged to swap guns for Xboxes

[janbo1960]

One of the world's most crime-ridden cities is trying a novel approach to curbing violence, offering computers and Xboxes in exchange for guns.

Police kicked off the gun exchange program in one of Mexico City's most notorious neighbourhoods, Tepito, where last year alone there were 32 murders.

High calibre weapons can be exchanged for computers, while owners can swap smaller guns for Xboxes or food and cash packages.

The new push in Mexico's capital falls alongside President Felipe Calderon's national crackdown on crime.

Since taking office last December he has sent 24,000 police and troops to drug cartel hotspots.