Conservatives announce ‘six-point plan’ to tackle crime

The Conservatives have unveiled a ‘six-point plan’ to tackle crime if they win the next election.

The plan includes proposals to ensure that criminals serve “proper sentences” and a pledge to build another 20,000 prison places.

It also pledges to introduce new legislation offering better protection for householders who use force against intruders. Labour Home Secretary Charles Clarke had decided that the current law governing the use of ‘reasonable force’ was “sound”, although he admitted that it needed to be better explained to householders. New guidance, compiled by the Association of Chief Police officers and the Crown Prosecution Service, was published in February.

The plan also includes proposals to: recruit an extra 5,000 police officers per year; reduce paperwork to put an additional 3,000 officers back on the streets and make the police accountable to local communities.

The Conservatives have already announced a series of pledges aimed at tackling Britain’s ‘yob culture’ and binge drinking.

Announcing the plan, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: “I don’t just want to talk tough. I will be tough. I won’t forget about the victims of crime as soon as the headlines go away and the dust has settled. Instead of pursuing headlines, I will relentlessly pursue those members of society who make people’s lives a misery.”

The Conservatives family spokesperson, Theresa May, also announced plans to tackle drug use, which she said was “at the root of a lot of crime, especially violent crime”. The plans include: the reclassification of cannabis as a dangerous drug; random drug testing in schools and the provision of 25,000 residential places to treat users of hard drugs.

Yesterday, Labour unveiled their crime election policies, with a pledge to reduce crime by a further 15% by 2008. The pledges included proposals to tackle alcohol-fuelled disorder, as well as plans to introduce a flagship Violent Crime Reduction Bill if Labour are elected for a third term. The bill included plans to clamp down on the ownership and use of replica firearms and knives; tougher sentences for knife and gun crimes; and new anti-social behaviour measures, including plans to publicly name perpetrators of anti-social behaviour.

The Conservatives also clashed with Labour yesterday over police figures which showed a rise in violent crime. Mr Willis said the Labour government’s “complacency” on crime was “breathtaking”. However Prime Minister Tony Blair said that many minor assaults were not counted under the Conservative government and said, “every crime should be counted, even if it gives the wrong impression that violent crime has gone up.”

Mr Davis continued his criticism of Mr Blair today saying: “Life in Britain today is very different outside your security bubble. Violent crime is rising and Mr Blair has had eight years to stop it.”

The Liberal Democrats’ pledges on crime include plans to recruit 10,000 more police officers and 20,000 community support officers.

(KMcA/GB)