MP, Labour's Home
Secretary, commenting on today's crime figures from the
Office for National Statistics, said:
“These figures show the disgraceful dereliction of the last Tory
Government on law and order – they deserted our town centres and
high streets, leaving local people to face soaring levels of
street crime.
“Shoplifting has shot up to 20-year highs, hitting our local
businesses and hurting communities in our towns and cities, yet
the number of neighbourhood police on our streets has plummeted,
with devastating consequences for public confidence. Knife crime,
which tears families apart, has risen yet again, and we've seen a
steep rise in stalking and harassment offences which
disproportionately impact women and girls.
“We can't carry on like this. This Labour government will put
neighbourhood police back on the beat in our town centres, with
stronger laws on knife crime, shoplifting and assaults on shop
workers to keep our communities safe.
“Labour has set an unprecedented mission to halve serious
violence in ten years and to restore confidence in policing and
the criminal justice system. We will be a government of law and
order that puts the safety and security of our communities at its
heart.”
Ends
Notes:
ONS: Crime in England and Wales: year ending March 2024 -https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2024
