The Liberal Democrats run local councils across the UK. Here are just a few local success stories.
| Robbery increased by over 29% in Conservative-run Richmond between 2002 and 2005, whilst next door in Lib Dem Kingston, robbery decreased by almost 16% over the same period | Between 2002 and 2004, when Labour were controlling Newcastle City Council, motor vehicle crime rose by 14%. Between 2004 and 2006, with the Lib Dems in control, vehicle crime fell by 11% | ||
| Between 2002 and 2004, when Labour were controlling Newcastle City Council, violent crime rose by 54%. Between 2004 and 2006, with the Lib Dems in control, violent crime fell by 12% | |||
| Between 2001 and 2004, Labour-run Manchester saw burglary increase by 6%, while Liberal Democrat-run Liverpool saw burglary decrease by over 20% | Lib Dem-run Islington saw a drop in robbery of over 25% between 2002 and 2005, whilst Labour-run Brent saw an increase of over 16% | ||
Anti-social behaviour
"A blueprint for action nationwide"
"Bad behaviour is being shown the red card"
The Prime Minister has singled out Liberal Democrat-run Liverpool for the quality of their work in combating anti-social behaviour. He said the city’s success "provides a blueprint for action nationwide". The head of the Home Office ASB Unit, Louise Casey, has said, "We want Liverpool’s success to be emulated across the country."
In 2005, Liberal Democrat run Islington Council introduced ASBO+, meaning that every ASBO issued in the borough comes with a support package to help stop the behaviour that led to the ASBO. Islington's ASBO breach rate has now dropped to just 8% compared to nearly 50% nationally.
Liberal Democrats in Islington also pioneered the use of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs), in which the perpetrators of nuisance behaviour sign an agreement with the police and local authority setting out minimum standards of conduct. Breach of an ABC can be grounds for an ASBO. In the most serious cases, a breach can result in eviction from social housing.
Watford, under directly-elected Liberal Democrat Mayor Dorothy Thornhill, runs an anti-social behaviour hotline through which residents can report any incidents of anti-social behaviour in a joint initiative between Watford Borough Council and the Home Office.
Bad behaviour in Watford is being shown the red card through an innovative Three strikes and you're out policy for dealing with anti-social behaviour in Watford town centre. It works on a "carrot and stick" principle, combining the yellow and red card warnings as sticks with health messages and lifestyle information as carrots.
Licensing
"57% reduction in alcohol-related crime"
"A safer environment in pubs, bars and clubs"
Islington Council, run by Liberal Democrats since 2002, keeps local residents informed about licensing applications, enabling them to come forward and tell licensing committees about problems that may have been continuing for years. This intelligence has helped licensing officers and police to work with landlords, achieving a 57% reduction in alcohol-related crime. Meetings have helped to open up channels of communication between bars and neighbours, so that problems are now often resolved informally.
In Newcastle, where Liberal Democrats have run the council since 2004, the Best Bar None scheme aims to create a safer environment in pubs, bars and clubs by rewarding safely managed licensed premises, clamping down on alcohol-related crime and curbing irresponsible drinking habits. Sixty-four venues have entered the scheme, which has been well received by the licensed industry in Newcastle.
Burglary
The installation of 5,200 alleygates within the city of Liverpool has had a considerable effect on burglary rates. These gates, erected at the ends of the alleys between the backs of terraced houses, have also reduced the incidence of anti-social behaviour.
Distraction Burglary Awareness events have been held across Liverpool, focusing on older and vulnerable residents who are potential victims of distraction burglary. The police have also provided information on crime prevention and personal safety in and around the home, and when out in public places.
Graffiti
"Tackling graffiti and fly posting"
"They are made to clear up their graffiti"
Liberal Democrats in Watford have led the way in dealing with graffiti. Tackling graffiti and fly posting has been at the heart of the council’s drive to deliver a cleaner, greener and safer borough and a direct response to feedback from local people who put this high on their agenda for improving the quality of the town. Operation Rianna addressed these issues through reactive methods such as removing existing fly posters and graffiti and proactive methods such as taking legal action and naming and shaming individuals or companies in the local media.
As part of the strategy to combat graffiti, Watford Borough Council works with the police and local schools to identify the perpetrators. They are then made to clear up their graffiti, providing visible "payback" to the community – hundreds of hours so far.
Safety
Taxi marshals operated at 4 taxi ranks in Newcastle city centre for 10 weeks, between 28th October and 31st December 2005. A total of four Police Officers were on duty at four taxi ranks in Newcastle City Centre between 9:30pm and 3:30am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Due to the success of this scheme, funding is being provided to continue it during peak hours.
In Liverpool, officers from CitySafe and volunteers distributed information regarding community safety, together with free personal attack alarms, to shoppers at a busy high street supermarket.