Hughes Sets Out Security and Crime Policies To First London Mayoral Hustings

10.39.55am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Apr 2004

Speaking today at the first London Mayoral hustings held with the Metropolitan Police Federation, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate and former Shadow Home Secretary, Simon Hughes MP, will set out his vision for policing, tackling crime and the fear of crime and terrorism prevention in London when he becomes Mayor.

Mr Hughes will: -

· Highlight the new figures released by the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, Graham Tope, that shows, despite assurances by Mr Livingstone, the number of officers taken away from their duties in London boroughs for central policing have increased from 108,921 to 155,314 in the last year

· Set out his proposals for prevention and protection of Londoners from the threat of terrorism - including his proposals to merge British Transport Police with the Met

· Put forward his Minimum Policing Guarantee - four police and four uniformed officers guaranteed for every ward unable to be taken away from local duties by 2008

Simon Hughes will say: "In the coming months, and possibly years, London is facing some of the greatest security and policing challenges it has ever had to overcome. The threat of terrorism, the fear of crime and the low public perception of the police all contribute to the tests the Met has to confront if it is to re-gain the respect and confidence of Londoners."

"For this to happen in the communities across London, there needs to be a Minimum Policing Guarantee that ensures there are eight uniformed officers in every ward, of every borough, by 2006. This would ensure the police will not only become recognised as part of that neighbourhood, but become trusted by the community they serve and tackle their fear of crime."

"The Met Police have done a magnificent job so far in preventing an attack on London, but it is vital that sensible, simple measures are taken to stay one step ahead of any terrorist plans."

"My proposals aim to prevent a terrorist attack by encouraging more vigilance, and better protect people if there is an attack."

Ends

Mr Hughes will be speaking at the Police Federation hustings later today (Thursday 15th April 2004).

The Liberal Democrat London Assembly today revealed the number of police removed from their duties in local Boroughs in Feb 2003 and Feb 2004 were as follows.

Number of days of aid provided per Borough Command Unit officer 12 months to Feb 2004 vs 12 months to Feb 2003

BOCU 2002-3 2003-4 % change

CW City of Westminster 6.18 9.58 +55.0

BS Kensington & Chelsea 6.35 8.63 +35.9

EK Camden 5.55 7.57 +36.4

FH Hammersmith & Fulham 8.66 8.62 -0.4

GD Hackney 5.99 7.40 +23.5

HT Tower Hamlets 6.63 7.96 +20.0

JC Waltham Forest 6.22 8.54 +37.3

JI Redbridge 6.17 8.78 +42.3

KD Havering 5.66 8.87 +56.7

KF Newham 5.70 8.51 +49.3

KG Barking & Dagenham 5.24 7.77 +48.3

LX Lambeth 5.81 8.19 +41.0

MD Southwark 5.43 8.25 +52.0

NI Islington 6.47 8.50 +31.4

PL Lewisham 6.49 9.17 +41.3

PY Bromley 5.49 8.91 +62.3

QA Harrow 5.11 7.88 +54.2

QK Brent 5.78 8.09 +40.0

RG Greenwich 5.81 8.89 +53.0

RY Bexley 6.15 8.32 +35.3

SX Barnet 5.78 8.00 +38.4

TW Richmond 6.39 8.28 +29.6

TX Hounslow 6.22 8.06 +29.6

VK Kingston 6.17 9.32 +51.1

VW Merton 6.10 9.06 +48.5

WW Wandsworth 6.30 8.24 +30.8

XB Ealing 6.22 7.73 +24.3

XH Hillingdon 6.06 7.52 +24.1

YE Enfield 6.35 8.06 +26.9

YR Haringey 6.53 8.62 +32.0

ZD Croydon 5.98 8.08 +35.1

ZT Sutton 5.01 9.03 +80.2

OVERALL TOTAL/AVE 194/6.06 268.43/8.39 +38.4

No of aid days provided in total by BOCUs:

March 2002 - Feb 2003 108,921

March 2003 - Feb 2004 155,314

Increase of 42.6%