Lib Dems pledge 2,000 more police in London

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The Liberal Democrats have announced proposals for 2,000 more police on the streets for London to combat violent crime on the capital’s streets.

The latest figures show that violence against the person, which includes murder, harassment, common assault, actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm, increased by more than 10% between February 2003-January 2004 and February 2004 – January 2005.

Alan Bullion, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Hammersmith & Fulham, has outlined a three-point plan to combat the increases in violence against the person in London:

· Scrap Identity Cards, to pay for an extra 10,000 police in England and Wales, with 2,007 being pledged to London.
· Recruit the extra 1,095 PCSO’s needed to complete the roll out of the Safer Neighbourhood programme
· Invest more than £30million in new technology to help prevent and detect crime more effectively in the capital

According to the Metropolitan Police, 80% of the increase has been the result of alcohol-fuelled violence.

Hammersmith and Fulham recorded an increase of more than 7% in violence against the person.

Lib Dem candidate for Hammersmith & Fulham, Alan Bullion said:-

“The latest figures for violent crime in Hammersmith & Fulham show that the problem has reached unacceptable levels, with the binge drinking culture largely to blame. We need to send a clear message that stopping violence - whether it’s an unprovoked assault in the street or a pub brawl – is a police priority.

“Neighbourhood policing teams are an excellent way of deterring crime and challenging anti-social behaviour. Liberal Democrats want to use these patrols to re-build the links that have been lost between police and residents, shopkeepers and owners of licensed premises.”

Commenting on the figures, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman Mark Oaten said:-

“By scrapping the Labour’s plans for compulsory identity cards, we will put 2,000 more police on the streets of the capital without any extra cost to the taxpayer. These extra police will help tackle the alcohol-fuelled violence that is blighting London.

“Liberal Democrats would also guarantee that the Metropolitan Police gets enough Community Support Officers to complete plans for a neighbourhood policing team in every community.

“But the police cannot do that if they are stuck in the station filling in forms. We need to build on the progress in the Met with a £30m investment in technology.

April 24, 2005