Tories launch “urban alliance” against graffiti and vandalism
Conservative councils will launch a crackdown on environmental crime, including graffiti and vandalism, according to the party leadership.
They have promised to take on Labour “street by street” in tackling crime and urban decay.
Launching their new “urban alliance” in Tyneside today, frontbencher Theresa May, said: “The Labour Party has neglected and betrayed urban Britain. Violent crime is soaring and environmental offences are out of control. Crimes like vandalism, fly-tipping and abandoned cars are affronts against the whole community, and their effect is underestimated by Whitehall crime statistics.
“Environmental crime encourages an atmosphere of lawlessness and adds to the sense of fear of crime for all those who encounter it. Our society needs more respect, discipline and decent values. We intend to use our base in local government to show how Conservatives can improve quality of life, tackle yob behaviour and restore respect.”
She accused the Labour Party of having an “outdated obsession” with inner city problems and ignoring the problems of the suburbs and urban areas.
The Conservatives, she said, would not accept the “inevitability of urban and social decline” and would wage a zero-tolerance war on graffiti, litter and vandalism that creates a “downward spiral” in areas.
The Conservatives’ local government spokesman, Eric Pickles, added that the Conservatives “are regaining the trust of those who live in urban centres.
“As the party of local government, we have taken control of urban councils ranging from Dudley to Trafford, from Great Yarmouth to Solihull, from Swindon to Walsall. Such urban Conservative councils will be adopting the successful policies and best practice from flagship inner-city councils.”
