Labour candidate for Reading West Naz Sarkar has welcomed the latest figures from Thames Valley Police which show a 6.4% drop in crime in the year to the end of March.
"There were more than 2,000 fewer offences reported to the police in Reading in 2009-10 than in 2008-9," he says, "which of course continues the trend of the last few years. The increase in police numbers under Labour and the introduction of neighbourhood policing have made a real and positive difference.
"In the latest survey," he adds, "62.0% of Reading people agree the police and local council are dealing with the anti-social behaviour and crime issues that matter in the town, a higher figure actually than in the neighbouring Tory authorities where frankly the issues are fewer!"
"Remember though that David Cameron has refused to guarantee the police budget, which means a Tory victory on 6 May will mean fewer police, not more, on the streets of Reading and that can only lead to more anti-social behaviour and more crime. This is for real - Boris Johnson is leading the way by chopping 455 officers from the Met..
"Labour has worked hard to make people feel safer in their homes and on the streets. I hope that voters will not throw that away."
|
