Six extra police for every ward in Birmingham says Davies (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Six extra police for every ward in Birmingham says Davies

July 7, 2004 5:44 PM

Nicola Davies and Simon Hughes discuss policing in Shard End

Nicola Davies and Simon Hughes MP with a Police Officer

Nicola Davies and Simon Hughes MP today called for extra police for Birmingham. Nicola Davies said "Everyone agrees that crime is an issue here, but it is clear that neither a Conservative nor Labour Government have the answers to tackle the problems we all face. The Liberal Democrat approach is very clear and chimes with what local people want - more police on the beat."

Nicola further said "The Liberal Democrats are pledging six police for every ward in Birmingham - that would be six additional police on the street in Shard End, six in Hodge Hill ward, six in Washwood Heath, six in Bordesley Green and six police in Stechford and Yardley North. We have been very clear about our policy on crime:

It is time to catch the criminals and that is best done with more police on the streets.
We need to invest in education to give young people real opportunities to get into work and not slip into crime.
We must preserve the principle of 'innocent until proven' - Labour's attempts to criminalize our young people must be resisted.

Nicola concluded by saying "I am furious at the suggestion that the Liberal Democrats are soft on crime - it's just not true. We have a clear and strong line and will bring real resources to tackle the problem that the Labour and Tory Governments have created. Labour have had seven years but gun crime and violent crime are still increasing. Local people will shocked that David Blunkett thinks that the government has done all it can. His view that if things don't improve it's the fault of local residents and local police is offensive and unhelpful. It's quite clear from this type of attitude that Labour intend to continue to neglect this area. Whatever the Labour candidate claims, the truth of the matter is he has had seven years of power - perhaps he as a personal friend should have given Mr. Blair different advice to sort out the problems he and his government have forced on local people."

Simon Hughes said "The extra police could be paid for if the government stopped wasting billions on its ineffective ID card."