More cuts and more crime under Tories - Flint

Thursday October 21, 2004

CAROLINE FLINT MP, Labour's Home Office Minister, speaking at
a press conference today said: "Gun crime is rightly considered a serious issue by the public.

"But it's important to get it in perspective. Gun crime makes up less than half of one per cent of all crime. Nearly three-quarters of all firearms offences occur in just three police force areas - London, Manchester and the West Midlands.

"Of course just having a gun pointed at you is a frightening experience and whatever the use of a firearm in committing a crime it is wrong but around two-thirds of firearms offences involve no injury at all the victim - often the weapon is being used as a threat.
"And the rate of increase in gun crime in the last year is in the very low single figures - compared with rises of over 30 per cent that we were seeing just a couple of years ago.

"That's why Labour has put in place a wide range of measures to tackle this problem. Tougher sentences for those who illegally possess firearms, penalties for carrying imitation guns, support and funding for local community projects to tackle the gun culture. We have also embarked on a full-scale review of firearms legislation to see how the law can be further improved.
"Labour has been committed to tackling this problem since we very first came into office - our Bill banning all handguns was one of the first passed by Labour, in June 1997.

"Michael Howard and the Tories voted against that Bill.

"The Tory record on crime is one of more cuts and more crime. Crime doubled when they were last in office and your chance of becoming a victim of crime rose dramatically.

"As Home Secretary between 1993 and 1997, Michael Howard was part of the government that repeatedly promised more police, but officer numbers actually fell by 1,132 while he was in charge at the Home Office.

"The Tories are now committed to an immediate cut of £1.6 billion from the Home Office budget whilst at the same time making spending commitments based on savings they can't name and can't make.

"Whether on their record or their future plans, Michael Howard and the Tories cannot be trusted on crime."