Policing in Loughborough and Villages

I recognise that the reducton in crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour is one of the highest priorities of my constituents. Overall Police numbers are now at their highest level since the fifties or earlier. They will soon be supplemented with community support officers working at the grass roots, alongside constables.

In many cases his policies are working. In Charnwood burglaries have dropped by 30% in the last year - still too many, but robbery, thefts from vehicles and even cycle thefts have dropped. The British Crime Survey reports an overall drop in most crimes across Britain. There is no room for complacency, however. Both the Prime Minister and I understand that low level anti-social behaviour may give the impression that things are worse. This is why the current legislation should help. We are less likely to be victims of crime today than at any time for 20 years - but because of this anti-social behaviour I know the perception is different.It is also important to get sentencing right - ensuring the punishment fits the crime, as some put it. You may know that we now have more people in prison than ever before (over 70,000) and certainly more per head of population than in most other European countries. In fact, prisons are overflowing. This has, in part, led the Home Secretary to look at other alternatives, such as rehabilitation for drug addicts and putting more resources into the probation service where we can monitor offenders effectively outside prison. Surely it's right to ensure that we are all better protected with treatment that stops offending.

The government has funded the Charnwood Community Safety Partnership with a £400,000 "Communities against Drugs" programme over three years. This means we can taken a local multi-agency approach to reducing drug suply and associated crime.

We must be tough - but be mature enough to use a range of methods where they are proven to be more effective at dealing with the problem. I will continue to treat this matter as a very high priority.

Local Policing

The number to contact the police is 0116 222 2222, when you will be given a crime number. If you need to call again, do remember to quote this, so it is linked. You can always ask for the main desk at Loughborough, but the ser

There is a new police station in Shepshed, with regular opening hours, on Charnwood, close the Bull Ring which emphasises the importance attached to our efforts at keeping law and order.

Last updated March 2003