17th April 2010
ONLY LABOUR WILL PROTECT LOCAL POLICE NUMBERS
Labour’s Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, today laid down the law on policing and crime issues in a pre-election message to voters in Clwyd West constituency.
Together with Labour’s DONNA HUTTON, they said that Labour is the only party committed to maintaining spending on frontline policing.
Home Secretary, ALAN JOHNSON, said:
“The choice facing voters in Wales is very simple when it comes to policing. Labour will ensure that frontline policing is protected – but the Tories refuse to match that commitment. David Cameron refused again to match our policy in the TV debate when challenged directly by Gordon Brown.
“We know that there is still much to do, and although crime fell in Wales again last year, people’s perceptions remain important. We want people to feel safe in their communities – and that’s why Labour will give the police the tools they need to fight crime, including DNA and CCTV. Without the DNA database, thousands of crimes would go unsolved and many serious and dangerous criminals would be walking our streets. The Tories say they would limit CCTV and the ability of the police to use DNA to catch criminals.
“The new Policing Pledge sets out clear minimum standards for what people can expect from their local police, including new guarantees on response times and monthly beat meetings to set local priorities. But all the progress we have made; increasing police numbers, involving local people and making our streets safer, will be put at risk by a Tory Government that will not protect police spending.”
Labour’s Donna Hutton, said:
“Crime has fallen by a third under Labour - that’s 6 million fewer crimes each year across the UK, almost 1 million fewer homes burgled; and almost 1 and a half million fewer violent crimes.
“However we also recognise that even though crime and anti social behaviour is down, it is still a real issue in many areas of Clwyd West and that is why only Labour is committed to bearing down on crime even further.
“We are determined to safeguard the progress we’ve made by pledging to protect the funding for frontline police on Welsh streets. It’s something the Conservative Party has refused to do and shows they can’t be trusted to effectively fight crime in communities like Colwyn Bay, Abergele or Ruthin.
Peter Hain said:
“Crime is down in Wales. Through Labour’s investment we have record police numbers on the streets – and the only way to secure that work continues, is by voting Labour on May 6th. The Tories have made it very clear that they will not match our commitment to protect police spending.”
ENDS.