The Liberal Democrats in Haringey have launched their new campaign – We can cut crime – as the centrepiece of their efforts to tackle crime and improve the lives of all the citizens of Haringey.

Cllr Ron Aitken, Lib Dem Spokesperson on Crime, along with Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, launched the campaign on Saturday 3 rd February 2007 in Wood Green.

The Liberal Democrats have a five point plan to beat crime involving more police on the beat, taking back the streets from criminals and making them safe for the public, honesty in sentencing so that life will mean life, making prison work with training and education, and using the proceeds of prisoners work to fund a Victims Compensation fund.

Lib Dems have also demanded effective action from Haringey Council to tackle crime in Haringey. They have submitted a motion to be considered at the 19th February 2007 council meeting urging Haringey Council to do more to tackle anti-social behaviour in the community.

Cllr Aitken comments:

“Labour have been in power for ten years, but haven’t managed to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour effectively. We don’t need spin that shies away from reality – we need real action.

“The reality in Haringey is that 272 firearms incidents were recorded in just the last two years, 68 of which involved the firing of a weapon. One person was fatally injured and 58 others received injuries when a firearm was discharged. For the victims this is an appalling toll of trauma and misery.”

Lynne Featherstone adds:

“We have five simple steps that could really make a difference in our area. We would spend the billions of pounds the Government is spending on ID cards on extra police. We want to take back our streets and make them a place where families aren’t afraid to go after dark and we want prison sentences to mean something and make prison work.”