I Will Cut Crime In London BY 20% Or Not Stand Again - Paddick

10.21.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 14th Jan 2008

Speaking at the launch of his Mayoral Campaign in Brixton Town Hall today, Liberal Democrat Mayoral Candidate Brian Paddick pledged to put cutting crime in London at the heart of his bid to win the mayoral race.

Brian Paddick was accompanied by Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg as he outlined his three key priorities for London:

· Cutting crime: cut crime by 20% during first term or stand down, and chair the Metropolitan Police Authority to hold the Metropolitan Police Service to account for its performance in reducing crime

· Improving transport: increase reliability of Tube and Bus, and change Oystercard to enable unlimited travel within 1 hour

· Increasing affordable housing: use money spent on temporary accommodation to build new permanent 'social housing'

Brian Paddick said:

"This weekend saw the third stabbing in a year which is barely two weeks old. Another young life lost, just across the road from where we are standing. It is time for the bloodshed to stop.

"I am not a career politician. I care about delivering the real changes that Londoners will notice.

"I have a track record of performance against Londoners' number one concern: crime. Ken Livingstone has said he cannot do anything about gun and knife crime. Boris Johnson has admitted he doesn't have the experience to deal with it. It's time for someone who can stop the slaughter on our streets.

"I will make tackling crime in the capital a priority. I will cut crime in London by 5% every year over the course of my first term in City Hall. And I will take personal control of ensuring this target is met by chairing the Metropolitan Police Authority. If I fail to reach my target after four years, I will not stand again.

"Too many innocent lives have been lost. It's time for a radical change. It's time for someone who will deliver."

Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said:

"Over the past thirty years - while London politicians have been talking and point-scoring - Brian Paddick has been fighting crime on the streets of our capital.

"And he got results - real results. Commander Paddick cut crime on the streets of Lambeth by almost a fifth.

"This man is a leader and an achiever. He is serious, focused and determined to deliver the results that Londoners need.

"And I am proud that he is the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London."

Notes

1. A series of detailed policy launches on Crime, Transport, Housing and the Environment will follow in the build up to the election this May. Please see attached document for details of Ken Livingstone's terms in office as Mayor and Brian Paddick's record.

2. Brian Paddick's target of 5% cut in crime each year will be measured according to the British Crime Survey, the most reliable measure of crime.