Campbell launches "We Can Cut Crime" Campaign

12.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 22nd Jan 2007

The Liberal Democrats have launched a nationwide campaign to cut crime. At the centre of the campaign are the party's Five Steps to a Safer Britain:

1. More police on patrol - don't waste billions on ID cards

2. Compulsory work and training in prison to cut reoffending

3. Better compensation for victims paid for by prison work

4. Take back our town centres - let communities close pubs and clubs that cause trouble

5. Make sentences mean what they say - life should mean life

The Liberal Democrats have revealed that, despite the government's pledges, there is a shortfall of more than 8,000 community support officers, meaning many areas are not getting the police service they need. At a press conference this morning Sir Menzies Campbell pledged that the money the Lib Dems would save by not introducing ID cards would be put to use correcting this shortfall, and helping to make Britain's streets safer.

To fight crime effectively, we don't need to get tougher; we need to get smarter. A liberal approach to crime is an honest approach to crime. It is based on what works rather than what sounds good. It targets the offender rather than the innocent. And it has the courage to engage with the criminal and reform their behaviour. It is not liberal to tolerate intimidation and disorder. So we will empower members of the public to tackle this problem for themselves. It is only by engaging the public, and combining with them to help reclaim our streets and town centres, that we can successfully cut crime.

Related Link:

Visit the Cut Crime Campaign website.