Local Liberal Democrats welcome plan to combat crime

5.58.23pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 17th Jul 2008

Local Liberal Democrats have today welcomed radical plans to tackle youth crime.

Commenting, Oldham East & Saddleworth Parliamentary Spokesperson Elwyn Watkins said:

"This Government has spent 10 years trying to sound tough while failing to cut youth crime.

"In fact, ministers have embarked on the mass criminalisation of a generation of young people. By dragging more and more young people through the criminal justice system, they have reduced the fear of a criminal record and contributed to the problem.

"Some young people wear ASBOs like a badge of honour and it is clear that this government's actions are simply not working.

"Instead of shock tactics to grab headlines, we need practical measures that are proven to work.

"More police on the streets would be a good start - as Liberal Democrats we have called for more 10,000 more police on the streets nationwide, whereas in recent years under Labour the Greater Manchester force has had to axe 216 police officers.

"Only the Liberal Democrats propose a dual approach to stop kids from getting involved in crime in the first place, and measures to make them face up to the consequences of their actions if they do."

The main proposals contained in the paper A Life Away From Crime (attached) include:

· The creation of a Youth Volunteer Force, to engage with young people, involve them in community projects and give them skills to benefit them in later life

· Establish Community Justice Panels across the country, where offenders admit their guilt to the community and agree on a Positive Behaviour Order as a course of action

· Create a dedicated PCSO youth officer within every Safer Neighbourhood Team to identify and work with teenagers most at risk of offending

· 10,000 more police on the streets by scrapping the ID cards scheme

· Intelligence-led stop and search and 'hot spot policing' targeted at gun and knife crime

· Restorative justice programs to be run in every community, specifically targeted at early intervention with widespread use in schools and care homes