Letter: Crime policies are paying off

Letter: The crime figures chime with the recent unemployment figures. Just as Labour's investment has helped to keep people in work through the recession, investment in policing and communities is helping make people safer.

Though every crime committed is terrible for the victim and every job lost a personal tragedy, the evidence shows that Labour investment is working.

It's also clearer that the Tories would be a disaster for both, choking off recovery with their irresponsible economic plans and opposing tough action on crime and anti-social behaviour. I know from recent debates in Shropshire Council that local Tories are fixated on cuts in services no matter what the consequences for local residents.

The figures show that the crimes the public care most about are falling across the county with burglary, robbery and violence all down.

I'm very pleased to see that confidence in the police is increasing and the number of people worried about high levels of antisocial behaviour has fallen to 15 per cent, the lowest on record. The British Crime Survey also shows and the risk of being a victim is at its lowest point ever.

The fall in crime across the West Midlands region shows the difference that can be made when we work together to tackle crime and is a testament to the effort and commitment shown by police and crime reduction partners around the region. Instead of the local Tories regularly knocking the police, they should thank them for their part in these real concrete improvements.

Councillor Jon Tandy

Shrewsbury