Lambeth Lib Dems soft on Crime
Lambeth Council’s Lead Councillor on Crime, Liberal Democrat Darren Sanders, has voted for a council amendment which would cut spending to combat crime. He and his Lib Dem colleagues voted against money earmarked by London Mayor Ken Livingstone to provide extra police in Lambeth at a recent budget setting meeting. Luckily for residents the council has no power to refuse extra resources for police from the Mayor. Mayor Livingstone has increased police numbers in London by more than 5000 since coming to power in 2000. His latest budget ensures even more police will be on the streets of Lambeth, bringing greater safety and security to residents. The Mayor has been introducing Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT’s) across the borough which have been highly successful in reducing crime. SNT’s are teams of 6 police officers, dedicated to their local areas and protected from abstraction for other duties. Liberal Democrats voted against money to pay for Safer Community Police Teams being introduced in Vassal Ward, Coldharbour Ward, Clapham Town, Bishops, Oval, Herne Hill, Ferndale and Streatham Wells. Liberal Democrats also voted to cut Lambeth's funding on drug rehabilitation - a programme designed to stop potential offenders before they commit crime. Typically, the amendment voted for by Lib Dem and Tory Councillors attempted to have things both ways. It stated “That Council registers it opposition to the increase in the Mayor of London's precept”, but also said that more money should be spent on police! Cllr Peter O’Connell, Lambeth Labour’s Spokesperson Against Crime, said: “Liberal Democrats have always been soft on crime and they haven’t changed a single bit.” “They clearly don’t understand that
people want to have a visible police presence in their local community.
The police need a council who will support them in their work, not one
which votes against resources to tackle crime.”
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