Safer neighbourhoods

Labour is making our country and our communities stronger and safer. We have made real progress in the fight against crime - since 1997 crime has fallen by over a third and you are now less likely to be a victim of crime than at any time in the last 25 years. But we recognise there is more to do.

 Labour is taking the tough and necessary measures to combat crime. To help keep our streets safe we have introduced a policing team in every one of our neighbourhoods, easily contactable by local people. And we are giving police and communities new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. Every force now has the Policing Pledge in place setting out the clear minimum standards you can expect from them. Local communities now have more say over how their areas are policed, so that the issues that matter to them are addressed. Meetings with neighbourhood police teams are helping to agree these priorities and online crime maps show what is happening to crime in your area and what is being done about it.  We are strengthening police accountability and slashing red tape to help the police focus on fighting crime and keeping people safe.

 Labour is committed to fair rules for all, with tough measures to punish and prevent crime. This means clear penalties for breaking the rules with a tough new system of community payback where people do hard work on local priorities -action visible to local people. We believe that victims' interests must be placed right at the heart of the criminal justice system and have appointed a Victims' Champion to advocate changes on their behalf. We will not tolerate a situation where some people break the rules and others pay the price.