Lib Dems Launch Campaign to Cut Crime in North Northumberland - Beith

4.34.05pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 22nd Jan 2007

Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed Alan Beith has today announced the start of a campaign to cut crime on towns and villages throughout his constituency.

Alan said

"We have just heard that the police intend to close their offices in Rothbury, Wooler and Seahouses - at a time when people are becoming more concerned about crime and anti-social behaviour. The closure of the police offices will mean people find it harder to report their concerns or contact the police, and the police will be one step removed from the communities they are serving.

The Liberal Democrats have unveiled an effective five point plan to tackle crime in our area:

1. More police on patrol - don't waste billions on ID cards

2. Take back our towns - let communities close pubs and clubs that cause trouble

3. Make sentences mean what they say - life should mean life

4. Compulsory work and training in prison - to cut re-offending

5. Better compensation for victims - paid for by prison work

Alan added,

"'We can cut crime' is a national Liberal Democrat campaign that we believe can bring effective solutions to the problems of crime here in the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency.

"We don't need tough talk on crime, we need effective action and this campaign is based on action, not words.

"We would spend the billions of pounds that the Government is wasting on ID cards on extra police on patrol. That's effective action in our community. We want to see sentences that mean what they say, and we want to make prison work to stop re-offending.

"I would urge everyone in the Berwick constituency to back our campaign because together 'We Can Cut Crime'."

For more details on the Liberal Democrats' proposals to tackle crime visit www.wecancutcrime.com