Crime and Neighbourhood Policing
On Tuesday I voted for a motion to address the critical issue of crime in our country. The Conservative government’s record on crime has left communities feeling unsafe and small businesses vulnerable to theft and vandalism. Knife crime, anti-social behaviour, and high rates of sexual offenses have plagued too many areas, as a result of 13 years of Austerity.
The current system is not working, and victims are paying the price. The percentage of people who say they never see a police officer on their street has doubled since the Conservatives came to power, and the overall charge rate for crime stands at a mere 5.5%. With knife crime up 70% since 2015, it’s clear that the government’s approach to crime is not effective.
We need to rebuild neighbourhood policing with a £360m package of 13,000 extra neighbourhood officers and PCSOs, putting policing back in the heart of communities. We need to focus on prevention and rehabilitation, breaking the cycle of crime. Underfunding of the police has taken a toll on the ability of our law enforcement to keep communities safe, and the privatisation of the parole system has made it harder for people to reintegrate into society after serving their time.
Labour will take a tough stance on the root causes of crime and will provide mentorship for children sent to Pupil Referral Units to help get them back on track. We will also link youth workers to hospitals and custody suites to reach young people who are becoming involved in gangs, with the goal of reducing youth vulnerability to crime.
It’s time for a fresh approach to crime that prioritises rehabilitation and community safety. The current system is not working, and it’s time for change. Labour is committed to making a difference and ensuring that everyone in our country feels safe and secure in their homes and communities.
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