Priority 1: Tackling crime |
| Posted on Dec 30 2007 |
| Priorities >> Crime |
As someone who spends his life working with difficult people in difficult places Shaun Bailey understands that violent crime and anti-social behaviour are dragging the place down.
Shaun argues that there needs to be a fresh approach. This includes more police officers on the beat, 24/7, which is being piloted by the local Conservative Council. But it also involves a greater focus on those issues that encourage people to turn to crime in the first place.
The Labour Government is obsessed with social engineering rather than strengthening families and discipline. Shaun believes that it is through positive role models, opportunities and a return to strong family values that that people can be steered away from the path to crime.
Better still, Shaun can prove it. His charity has helped dozens of young people in West London to turn their lives around. Youngsters who were unemployed, on drugs and living lives of crime, are now living new lives with good jobs and real prospects.
Shaun Bailey: Supporting 24/7 neighbourhood beat policing
Shaun Bailey has given his full backing to the local Conservative Council’s 24/7 beat policing pilots, putting 50 extra police officers onto the streets of the borough, at a cost of £2 million a year.
One of the pilots is in Shepherds Bush Green ward, in the new Hammersmith constituency, where the team have hit the ground running, making a big impact in terms of dismantling the drugs trade and combating robberies, as well as providing a high-visibility deterrence to would-be criminals.
Having highly visible police officers on the streets, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week was a key strand to the success of cities like New York in massively cutting crime during the 1990s.
Commenting, Shaun said: “Robust policing, all day, every day, is very important in winning in the fight against crime. This pilot is in its early days, but I’m told it’s already making a big impact in the area and in time will prove that all of London needs this style of policing.”
Meanwhile, the Labour MP for Ealing Action has been critical of the scheme, publicly stating that putting extra police on the streets is a waste of money. Shaun Bailey and local Conservatives will never apologise for putting more police on the streets - and looking at ways to learn from the successes of other parts of the world in fighting crime.
Minimising the environment for crime
Alongside robust policing, Shaun Bailey believes it is important to minimsie the environment for crime. Areas which are clean and free from graffiti, fly-tips, vandalised buildings and street drinkers, don’t just feel safer, but are safer.
Shaun has explained: “Crime attracts crime, so we need to ensure the environment for crime to occur is minimised. The Council is striving to remove ‘grotspots’ and tackle street drinking - but this is an ongoing battle, with a role for all of us to play, if we are to make crime look out of place.”
Opportunities & responsibilities
Community leadership and taking responsibility are key for ensuring safe neighbourhoods.
Just as people who own their own house have a greater incentive to take responsibility for their homes, so communities who are given power over the running of their neighbourhood are more likely to create a safer environment for all.
Shaun wants to see more support given to existing tenants and residents associations, as well as more neighbourhoods to be encouraged to set them up and take an active part in the running of their communities.
Also, as someone who works runs job clubs for young people, Shaun Bailey knows better than anyone the difference employment can make to people’s lives and those around them. Work gives people a focus to take responsibility for their lives and communities. Equally, children who grow up in environments where those around them are in employment are less likely to be tempted into crime later in life. So Shaun also wants to see more done to ensure people without work are encouraged to get work.
Shaun Bailey on Knife Crime
“I’ve seen a huge increase in the number of kids I work with carrying knives, and it is a disgrace that that a quarter of people carrying knifes in London last year were let off with a caution. There has rightly been a crack down on guns, but you are four times more likely to be killed by an attacker wielding a knife. Yet Labour continues to reject Conservative calls for 5 year sentences for knife possession.
“Tougher sentencing, stop and search and high visibility policing are all part of the solution, but we also need more drug rehabilitation places for addicts and better opportunities for our youth. Young people need to know that they can go out without a knife and rely on the police to protect them.”
Last changed: Feb 12 2008 at 6:39 PM
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