LABOUR HAS BEEN TOUGH ON CRIME AND ITS CAUSES

Since Labour came to power in 1997, the government has been tough on crime and the causes of crime.
One of the biggest causes of crime is poverty, and Labour has reduced poverty. The minimum wage, working tax credits, child tax credits and better and affordable childcare have all helped to make a difference, as have the increased employment opportunities and minimum wage.
Education is a key pathway out of poverty and Labour has invested heavily in education by building new schools, employing more teachers and more teaching assistants. This has helped more young people to obtain better qualifications and more people than ever are getting the chance to go to university.
Providing the legal powers and financial support to address crime directly is also essential and Labour’s done just that with more investment in the Police, youth services and drug treatment facilities.
Let’s not forget that crime has actually fallen by a third under Labour. Since 1997, overall crime is down 36%, domestic burglary is down 54%, vehicle related crime is down 57% and violent crime is down 41%.
Furthermore, the DNA database is a vital crime fighting tool that in the last 10 years has identified 390,000 crimes with DNA matches and provided the police with a lead on the possible identity of the offender.
The recent closure of a ‘crack house’ in Normanton, which was reported in the Derby Telegraph on 23 October, is an example of Labour’s policy of being tough on crime.
There is of course still more to do, but Labour’s achievements in tackling crime and its causes, particularly when compared to the dark days under the Conservatives, are pretty amazing.
What we have to do is build on those achievements by continuing to tackle poverty and reduce crime. Both these evils feed off each other and can blight communities.
But make no mistake; a Tory victory in the next general election would almost certainly see these twin evils growing again.