Hague seeks high ground on crime

Tories promise more officers back on the beat

Conservative leader William Hague will seek to reclaim crime as a Tory issue when he presents his party's law and order programme on Friday.

Labour famously pledged to be "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime" in the run-up to the last election.

Labour will be judged on their actions. They have let Britain down - their's is a criminal record

Ann Widdecombe

But Mr Hague and shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe will argue that the government's "politically-correct posturing" has caused it to fail.

Mr Hague launched a new poster campaign in Glasgow Anniesland on Thursday as part of a by-election tour taking him on also to West Bromwich and Preston. All three constituencies go to the polls next week.

With recent figures showing a rise in crime and falling police numbers, Mr Hague will unveil his new law and order package by saying: "Mr Blair's record convicts him."

Speaking in West Bromwich, he will accuse Mr Blair of "demoralising" the police and presiding over a "revolving door" prison policy.

Tougher regime

Shadow cabinet members will be setting out Tory policies on crime at events throughout the country.

They include a pledge to bring police numbers back up to 1997 levels when Labour came to power and the use of part-time and special constables to more effectively patrol rural areas.

A "cops in shops" scheme would see officers on the beat using desks in local businesses to maximise time on patrol.

A police cadet force would encourage youngsters to join the profession.

And there would be an end to automatic early release for prisoners, the special release scheme and the tagging of criminals.

Challenge

Speaking in Preston, Lancashire, Miss Widdecombe will join Mr Hague's attack on the government's record, calling it "criminal".

"William Hague has vowed to go to war on criminals as never before," she is expected to say.

"The Conservatives have the common sense approach to make sure that victims are put first and criminals pay the price for their actions.

"Labour will be judged on their actions. They have let Britain down - there's is a criminal record."

A Labour spokesman said: "Under the Tories, crime doubled and the number of convictions fell by a third.

"The Conservatives had a dismal record on crime and their recent chaos over their drugs policy shows they cannot be trusted on law and order.

The spokesman challenged the Tories to match Labour's spending promises on the police for the next three years.