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LibDems and Tories have got it wrong on how to cut crime

By John Hirst

LibDems and Tories have got it wrong on how to cut crime

Neither the LibDem home affairs spokesman, Chris Huhne, nor the Tory shadow home secretary, Dominic Grieve, have got a clue when it comes to reducing crime.

According to Chris Huhne: "The answer's simple. Catch criminals to cut crime".

According to Dominic Grieve: catching criminals will not "cut crime unless you provide the prison places to deal with the criminals once apprehended".

In my view, they have both missed the blindingly obvious. Catching criminals after the crime, whilst it is desirable to catch criminals, this is too late because the act has already been committed. The only sensible way to cut crime is to have an effective crime prevention policy in the first place. Prevention is better than a cure.

Is it too much to ask that when the Labour Party conference gets under way on Saturday, that both the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, and justice minister, Jack Straw, will talk about closing the gate before the horse has bolted?

Full post as published by prisonlawinsideout on September 16, 2008 (boomark / email).