Lib Dems launch cut crime campaign

9.00.00am GMT Mon 22nd Jan 2007

Liberal Democrats locally and nationally have launched their campaign to cut crime.

It is based on a 5 point plan.

1) More police on patrol - don't waste billions on ID Cards

2) Take back our Town Centres - let communities close pubs and clubs that cause trouble.

3) Make sentences mean what they say - Life should mean life

4) Compulsory work and training in prison - to cut re-offending

5) Better compensation for victims - paid for by prison work

Local Liberal Democrat Leader David Foster said:

"We can cut crime' is a national Liberal Democrat campaign that we believe can bring effective solutions to the problem of crime here in Blackburn and Darwen.

"Labour have been in power for ten years, but just haven't managed to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. We don't need more tough talk and spin, we need effective action on crime.

"That is what this campaign is all about - effective action. Not tough words that sound good on the television. We have five simple steps that could really make a difference in our area.

"We would spend the billions of pounds the Government is spending on ID cards on extra police on patrol. That's effective action to tackle crime in our community. We want to take back our town centres and make them places where families aren't afraid to go after dark. We will do this by giving communities power to close down troublesome pubs and clubs.

"We want to see sentences that mean something. When someone is sent to prison for life, they should serve exactly that. We need to make prison work to stop re-offending.

"It is the Liberal Democrats who are proposing effective action to cut crime. I would urge everyone in Blackburn and Darwen to back our campaign because together "We Can Cut Crime".

We will be giving more details over the next few weeks.

Watch this space .................