Liberal Democrat home affairs spokeswoman Lisa Smart suggested that “brutal cuts” under the previous administration have left many victims feeling unsafe…reports Asian Lite News
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to bolster community policing in order to reduce the amount of car thefts which are not solved, as the party claimed almost 25,000 such crimes went unsolved within three months.
The party said an analysis of Home Office figures shows on average 78.5% of all car thefts go unsolved, and argued this is partly because of a lack of police time and resources.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokeswoman Lisa Smart suggested that “brutal cuts” under the previous administration have left many victims feeling unsafe.
The MP for Hazel Grove in Greater Manchester said: “Tens of thousands of victims across England and Wales are being left without the justice they deserve, with a staggeringly high number of car thefts going unsolved, and thieves getting away scot-free. This cannot continue. Every victim of a crime deserves to feel safe and protected by the police but unfortunately, after brutal cuts to community police officers, that is far from the truth. We urge the new Government to change the course by getting tough on crime, investing properly in local neighbourhood policing and keeping communities safe.”
Between April and June 2024, 24,837 car thefts went unsolved.
According to the party, the Metropolitan Police had the highest number of unsolved car thefts, with 90% of reports going unsolved.
South Yorkshire followed closely behind with 85% of theft going unsolved. Essex, Wiltshire, Sussex and Hertfordshire also all reported that at least 80% of car thefts were unsolved in the quarter ending June 2024.
Councillor defects to Liberal Democrats
Meanwhile, the leader of the Independent group on Devon County Council is joining the Liberal Democrats, it has been announced.
Frank Biederman, member for Fremington Rural in north Devon, said he now wanted “to work with allies” on “getting things done”.
Biederman said he was making the move so that people would know where he stood ahead of possible elections in May.
The decision means the Liberal Democrats now have 10 members, with 38 Conservatives, six Labour, three Independent, two Green and one non-specified on the authority.
Biederman said: “There are always new challenges coming down the line – new housing targets, and growing pressure on local services, for example.
“We cannot afford for local government to get these things so badly wrong. Everyone knows I’m a very independent spirit at heart – but getting things done is a team game, and I intend to work with allies.”
Biederman is also a member of North Devon District Council, where he will also join its Liberal Democrat group.
Devon County Council has asked the government for permission to postpone this May’s elections as part of local government reorganisation and a decision is expected imminently.
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