 Commenting on the Home Office crime figures released today, the Conservative Shadow Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Oliver Letwin MP, said:“These figures are truly terrible. Despite the street crime initiative, robbery is massively up. So are gun-related crimes, domestic burglary, retail burglary, and drug offences. “The only word for this is failure: the Government’s response of knee jerk reactions, gimmicks and initiatives is not working and confused signals on sentences for burglary will not help either. “The figures will continue to be dreadful until the Government produces a coherent long term strategy to attack crime at its roots and get police visibly back on our streets.” Mr Letwin added: “The increase in firearm crimes is drug-related. The problem won’t be solved until the gangs are broken up and the streets reclaimed for the honest citizen by proper neighbourhood policing.” |
Councillor Peter Stoddart has slammed Labour's failure on crime. "Labour have failed to deliver on their pledges of tackling crime. This is unacceptable. What we want to see is policemen back on the beat, and tough punishment for criminals. Too often we now see the police simply unable to target criminals, tied up with Labour's red tape, and misguided initiatives."