Tory outlines party’s pledges on crime

THE Tories would put the law back on the side of local people in Oldham, according to Conservative candidate Kashif Ali.

The Tory hopeful in Oldham East and Saddleworth said Oldham people suffered 3,693 violent attacks last year.

He put fighting crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as the regeneration of the town, as his two key election pledges.

He endorsed his party’s plans to tackle crime and to restore confidence in Britain’s “broken” criminal justice system.

Under the manifesto plans, he said a Conservative Government would:

:: Give citizens greater protection if they have to defend themselves against intruders in their homes.

:: Create 15 new rape crisis centres across the country, and give existing centres long-term funding.

:: Grant Oldham Council new powers to fight booze-fuelled anti-social behaviour.

:: Stop supermarkets selling alcohol at below cost-price.

:: Replace the Greater Manchester Police Authority, making the police accountable to a directly-elected person who will set priorities for local policing.

:: Publish street-by-street monthly crime statistics online.

:: Prosecute and jail anyone caught carrying a knife in a public place.

He added: “We can’t go on with the police filling in forms instead of fighting crime. Our police officers deserve the highest praise. But many people across Oldham East and Saddleworth are hugely frustrated with our criminal justice system. They feel that it’s just not on their side anymore.

“These Conservative proposals will help put the law back on the side of local people.”