More Violent Robberies Highlight The Need For Action Against Crime

I have blogged a few times about the worrying upsurge in crime in North Durham. In the past few months there have been armed robberies in both Ouston and Stanley. Just before Christmas, another violent robbery happened in our area - this time in a Tantobie off licence. The shop assistant acted heroically by grabbing the gun of the violent robbers and standing them off until they left the shop. She should be saluted for her bravery.

With such frightening local incidents, the people of North Durham need no reminding that there has been a surge in violent crime in recent years.

SInce Labour came to power, violent crime has risen by 70 per cent in the UK. The latest British Crime Survey showed that there were over a million violent crimes committed on strangers in 2008/09. These are truly shocking statistics. And one of the really shocking things is that so little is being done about it. Indeed, a recent report showed that a number of violent crimes are being routinely ignored by the Police.

We need to get more Police Officers on to the streets and give them real powers to deal with violent crime. If there is one consistent theme from the people of North Durham when I speak to them on the doorstep, it is that they want more Police on the streets to tackle crime and make them feel safer.