HUGHES AND KENNEDY LAUNCH MINIMUM POLICING GUARANTEE FOR GREATER LONDON

3.42.35pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 29th Apr 2004

Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, Simon Hughes, alongside Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Charles Kennedy, will today officially launch his Minimum Policing Guarantee for Greater London during a visit to Lambeth.

Mr Hughes has proposed that every neighbourhood in Greater London is provided with its own designated 'community police force' by 2006. This will grow over the four-year term to comprise four police officers and four community support officers, who will not be removed from their local duties. A sergeant on a 4-year contract will head each 'community police force' so they can get to know and establish links with the local community.

Simon Hughes said:-

"If Londoners are to be safe, and feel safe, from mugging, robbery, hate crime and violence we have still have a hell of a way to go. The two priorities for the police must be more effective community policing and a stronger attack on violent crime.

"My commitment is that every ward - every community in London - will have a minimum of 8 people policing their area, that would not be taken away for other duties.

"When the people of Barnet and the people of Bromley pay their money for policing I will ensure that they, like the people of Bermondsey, Brent, Barnes and Brixton, get a Minimum Policing Guarantee."

ENDS

What: Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London, and Charles Kennedy MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats visit Brixton Police station

Where: Entrance to Brixton Market, Cnr of Atlantic St and Brixton St London SW9

When: 10.50am, Thursday 29th April 2004