New Police Powers

Councillor Dave Jones welcomed Labours proposals to increase police powers saying" This is good news for the police and local communities"

Police and communities have new powers to tackle violent crimes involving alcohol, knives and guns, thanks to Labour's Violent Crime Reduction Act.

In addition the law relating to football banning orders and online ticket touts is being strenghtened, and Labour is introducing tough sentences for those guilty of re-programming stolen mobile phones.

Announcing the moves Labour's Home Secretary John Reid MP said:

"Labour's priority is to give the police and communities the tools they need to tackle crime. These new powers will enable police to better tackle gun and knife crime as well as alcohol-related disorder.

"After listening to community concerns on knives and guns, I decided to bring forward the use of these measures as a matter of urgency. The Government is committed to tackling violent crime - but we can't do it on our own. We need to work together with police and communities and these new measures give those groups tough powers to deal with the issue.

"Crime and anti-social behaviour is the number one concern among our communities, and Labour remains determined to tackle it. These new powers are the latest step, an example of how Labour is working to make us all safer, putting the interests of ordinary people first.

"Labour's tough action on crime is in stark contrast to the Tories who continue to show how out of touch they are with ordinary people's concerns by repeatedly trying to block our measures. For example, it is a matter of regret to me that during the passage of this Bill the Conservatives used parliamentary time to try and weaken ASBOs and get rid of drinking banning orders. On crime, the Tories talk tough but vote soft."

Labour is committed to cutting crime and protecting the public. Progress has be made, with crime down 35 per cent since 1997, and violent crime reduced by 34 per cent over the same period. However, we are not complacent and we recognise that more needs to be done to protect the public. The measures which come into force today build on the solid foundations laid by Labour to tackle violent crime and disorder on our streets.