Between 1999 and 2009, “violence against the person” offences here in Salford rose by 44%. Labour have launched endless initiatives and top-down schemes which have made little difference. Their broken promises have undermined people’s trust. We can’t go on with the police filling in forms instead of fighting crime.
People also remain frustrated with our criminal justice system, and too many local residents feel that the justice system is not on their side.
I’m really pleased, therefore, to see the draft Conservative crime manifesto produce some concrete pledges that will really tackle these problems. A Conservative Government would:
- Give Salford’s citizens greater protection if they have to defend themselves against intruders in their homes, or if they stop a crime being committed in the street.
- Create fifteen new rape crisis centres across the country, and give all existing rape crisis centres stable, long-term funding.
- Grant Salford City Council new powers to fight booze-fuelled antisocial behaviour in Salford, and stop supermarkets selling alcohol at below cost-price which is destroying law-abiding local pubs and fuelling low-level crime.
- Replace the invisible and unaccountable Greater Manchester Police Authority, making the police properly accountable to a directly elected person who will set priorities for local policing.
- Publish detailed street-by-street crime statistics online every month, in an open and standardised format, so people know the real level of crime in their neighbourhood.
- Make it clear that anyone caught carrying a knife in a public place can expect to be prosecuted and sent to prison.
You can download the draft Crime Manifesto in full by clicking here.
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