Secure Communities

While crime figures show a downward trend in most areas, the UK still has one of the highest crime rates in the developed world and personal safety still remains a top concern for many.

Christian Democrats think that every citizen has a role to play in building secure communities, not least in engendering values of personal responsibility and care for others. More resources and police are not the whole solution. For a real and lasting reduction in crime, the CPA is determined to tackle its root causes. Safer streets will be the by-product of better homes and faithful parenting, by a renewal of the values that underpin society and by the offer of real hope and justice to communities experiencing deep-rooted problems.

Using neighbourhood policing units, a tough no nonsense approach will be taken to law enforcement. Rolling out the Safer Neighbourhood Policing concept across all metropolitan areas will ensure visible, local and focused street policing. The CPA would introduce the idea of Local Authority funded Safer Neighbourhood Panels, comprising representatives from businesses, residents associations, faith and ethnic minority groups etc that will meet with Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams to identify local crime issues and contribute to agreed joint solutions.

The Police will be instructed to challenge the 'anything goes' mentality by enforcing the law, whether the disorder caused by public drunkenness and cannabis use, or petty acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in public spaces. We favour victim and community centred ways of tackling anti social behaviour before local incidences spiral out of control. The CPA will back high expectations of behaviour and respect within families and communities, as well as long-term support to families that reach the roots of ASB problems. And to improve streets at night, the CPA will sponsor ‘Street Pastor’ schemes to head off potential youth offending.

Much needs to be done for people to feel secure and safe. Our measures to back marriage and greater social equality will help end the downward cycle of family breakdown and crime. Our approach will always be informed by the distinctive Christian contribution to prison reform and community action. It is known that half of offenders go on to recommit crime. We therefore propose radical solutions within the Prison Service that will tackle repeat offenders' deep rooted problems, such as through the introduction of restorative justice programmes and by ensuring that comprehensive drug and school rehab facilities are provided in all prisons. Steps to legalise prostitution or brothels will be firmly rejected. Labour's liberalisation of pub opening hours will be repealed.