25/07/07 - New Figures Expose Government Failure On Crime

New figures expose Government failure on crime

Local Conservatives expressed concern today at new local crime statistics published by the Government, and called reforms to improve the effectiveness of policing and the criminal justice system. Across the country, violent crime has doubled under the Labour Government.

The new statistics show that in Swindon:

Conservatives are calling for:

Ø      More police officers on the beat: Through greater co-operation between forces, introducing performance-related pay, and by scrapping unnecessary forms and bureaucracy. 

Ø      Greater police accountability: Replacing unelected police authorities - which are too weak in relation to central government and they are invisible to the public - with directly elected police commissioners.

Ø      More prison places: Providing sufficient prison capacity to increase offenders’ chances of being properly rehabilitated and reducing reoffending. Money saved by scrapping the ID Cards project could be used to fund this.

Ø      Tackling drug problems: Increasing the level of drug rehabilitation for young people to tackle the causes of crime.

Robert Buckland, South Swindon Parliamentary Candidate commented:

“Our police officers in Swindon are working hard, but are being held back by Whitehall red tape that prevents them from patrolling the streets and catching criminals. This is why Conservatives want to see a stronger emphasis on neighbourhood policing and a greater say for local people on how police forces are run."

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, North Swindon Parliamentary Candidate added:

“The Government needs to do more to tackle the scourge of drugs – which fuels all other crime, ruins communities and destroys lives. Violent crime is also compounded by the crisis in our prisons. With offenders being released early or escaping jail completely, criminals are not deterred from committing violent crime, nor do they receive proper rehabilitation.”