Norris makes crime reduction a priority

HARINGEY Conservatives have welcomed the decision by London Mayoral
candidate Steve Norris to focus on crime and crime reduction in his campaign
to win London. Local Conservatives believe that Steve is on to a 'vote
winner' as crime continues to spiral out of control and is a particular
problem in Haringey.

Steve will be out on patrol with the police in a series of crime hot-spots
in a bid to gain first hand knowledge of the problems and blight the
criminals bring to the streets of the nation's capital city.

And Mr Norris has also unveiled plans for six new policy review teams who
will help shape his manifesto for the Mayoral elections in just over a
year's time, covering issues including crime, transport, business and the
environment.

Before setting out on patrol in the crime-ridden Somers Town Estate near
King's Cross, he called for a London-wide crackdown against crime and
yobbish behaviour, and said: "Ken Livingstone has spent three years
pretending policing and crime are nothing to do with him. Unlike Ken, I will
take the necessary leadership steps to make the capital's streets safer. Of
course we want more buses or tubes at night but they will be shunned unless
people feel safe to use them.

"Like Mayor Giuliani of New York, I will recruit more police officers and
ensure they are visible on the streets deterring criminals as well as
utilising the latest technology to focus on crime hot-spots. Londoners want
a Mayor who understands that criminals must be taken on and defeated."

Mr Norris said "misery crimes" like vandalism, graffiti and abandoned cars
had a real impact on people's lives, and required concerted action from
local authorities, residents groups and the police.

"I am determined to work with anyone that has practical solutions that
actually work - whether they are Labour, Conservative or Lib-Dem. My job as
Mayor will not be to pontificate from City Hall but to provide the serious
leadership to make a difference to people's lives," he said.

ENDS.

Notes to Editors:

The six new policy groups will be chaired by members of the Greater London
Assembly and take evidence from experienced people, producing reports later
in the year.