Lib Dem launches Crime survey amid calls for greater police presence

5.04.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 22nd Aug 2004

Northampton residents are asked their views on local crime and policing issues

Andrew Simpson, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North, has launched a crime survey across the town to gauge public attitudes to the current level of service from the police and local authorities.

"Not a day seems to go by without another incidence of crime or anti-social behaviour in our town. This is combined with increased frustration by people that the Police are not tackling low level crime - instead focusing on the 'big wins'. I therefore decided to run a survey in different parts of the town to see how the public felt about crime and anti-social behaviour in their area "

The survey - see below - is being distributed by volunteers across the town, starting this week. By the autumn local Lib Dems hope to be able to provide a comprehensive picture of problem areas and also public priorities for police and local authority action.

Amid news that the new Policing plan will reduce the time dedicated by some Community Beat Officers to their areas so they can be concentrated in others with higher crime statistics the Lib Dem survey also seeks support for the idea of at least 1 dedicated Police Officer and 1 Support Officer for each Council ward .

"The new Police plan means that not all areas will have a dedicated Bobby and we believe this is a mistake. The Police should be giving Community Beat Officers more time to concentrate on building up vital links with local communities and addressing local concerns not less. Community policing is one of the best ways for crime and anti-social behaviour to be tackled before it becomes a problem". continued Andrew

Related Link:

See crime survey here.