£7 million ad campaign to cut crime
The Home Office has launched a £7 million advertising campaign in an attempt to cut robbery, burglary and car crime.
Radio and TV adverts and posters at bus stops will urge the public to take basic security steps to avoid being victims of crime.
“We know that one in five crimes happen through something really stupid – like leaving your doors and windows open, leaving goods on the back seat of your car, flashing around your mobile phone,” said Home Office Minister Hazel Blears.
“It’s simple things the public can do to stop themselves being victims of burglary and robbery,” she added.
The launch of the campaign coincides with the clocks going back, marking the beginning of the winter months when crime levels traditionally rise.
The Conservative Party have condemned the ads as a waste of money.
“We do not need Labour wasting taxpayers’ money and patronising the public by telling us the obvious,” said Shadow Home Secretary David Davis.
“They should focus their energies on freeing our police from the increasing burden of red tape and putting them back on the front line.”
The BBC says that the charity Victim Support has given a cautious welcome to the initiative, but is concerned about the tone of the adverts, claiming that they could leave crime victims feeling foolish for not having followed the steps outlined.
Last year’s British Crime Survey recorded more than one million burglaries, robberies and thefts of vehicles.
