Local Lib Dems Talk Tackling Crime With Shadow Home Secretary (Julia Goldsworthy)

Julia Goldsworthy <info@juliagoldsworthy.org>

Local Lib Dems Talk Tackling Crime With Shadow Home Secretary

March 19, 2007 4:31 PM

Julia and the We Can Cut Crime Team Eleven members of the Camborne, Redruth and Hayle Liberal Democrats made the long journey to Harrogate last weekend (2nd - 4th March) to join local Falmouth and Camborne MP, Julia Goldsworthy at the Lib Dem Spring Conference.

The weekend was an opportunity for the Cornish contingent to meet party members from all over the country and attend and take part in debates and training sessions. Some delegates from the constituency had the opportunity to directly influence Liberal Democrat policy when they voted on issues ranging from the future of Britain's nuclear deterrent to community regeneration.

During the conference there was the opportunity for the Camborne, Redruth and Hayle group to meet shadow Home Secretary Nick Clegg who spoke to them about the Lib Dems' practical solutions to cutting crime. In turn, they discussed with him the results of a crime survey which Lib Dem activists have recently been conducting in their area.

Several issues were repeatedly raised by those responding to the survey. Anti-social behaviour on our streets is a real concern for many local residents. Incidents of petty vandalism and graffiti are intimidating many people and ruining local environments. A huge number of respondents feel that our communities need more police out patrolling our streets and more facilities and activities for young people.

Local Lib Dem, Anna Pascoe, said:

"The results of our survey have shown that for all the government's tough talk on crime and anti-social behaviour, the fear of crime in our community is worryingly high. Many of our respondents told us that they are too afraid to leave their homes after dark. Rather than wasting time on chasing headlines and wasting money on useless schemes like ID cards, Labour should put more bobbies on the beat and create real deterrents to would-be criminals."

David Ekinsmyth, a Lib Dem campaigner from Illogan added:

"Our local police are working very hard to keep our communities safe but they are under funded and under resourced. Our results show that a shocking number of people are so disillusioned with the justice system in this country that have not bothered to report an offence, so doubtful are they that justice will really be done. This is a disgraceful situation that must quickly be amended."

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy MP, who addressed party members and activists on the topic of rural policing, said:

"It is important to understand that rural communities need policing tailored to their specific needs. There is not a one size fits all template. It is essential that rural areas are not deprived of funds because crime levels are relatively low in comparison to major cities.

"Until recently, authorities in Falmouth used to seize more firearms than at any other port in the United Kingdom. Since frontline customs staff were removed in 2003 however, there have been no seizures at all. To tackle gun crime seriously we need more resources, not less, that can patrol Cornwall's long coastline and clamp down hard in the illegal import of weapons, drugs and people."