Campaigns

Boris, Joanne and Shaun Bailey host a forum in Queen’s Park to discuss knife crime amongst teenagers in the area

- Two teenagers stabbed, one fatally, in less than three weeks in Westminster North
- If elected London Mayor, Boris pledges to lead the fight against gun and knife crime
- Joanne Cash believes that violent crime amongst teenagers should at the top of the political agenda
- Shaun Bailey backs Boris’ support for voluntary organisations

Last night, the Conservative Candidate for London Mayor, Boris Johnson, and Conservative Parliamentary Candidates, Joanne Cash and Shaun Bailey, hosted a forum in Queen’s Park to discuss the problem of violent crime amongst teenagers in the area.

The three Conservative politicians were speaking less than 24 hours after a teenager was stabbed in Westbourne. Although this attack was not fatal, it came less than three weeks after Amro Elbadawi, a fourteen year old boy, died from a single knife wound to the neck during a dispute with another teenager on the Mozart estate in Queen’s Park.

Joanne Cash was appalled by Ken Livingstone’s recent comments about violence amongst teenagers:

“Ken Livingstone has criticised the media for focusing on these events. He is wrong.

“There have been two stabbings in this constituency, and one young boy has lost his life, during the last three weeks. The more press coverage, the better; this issue has to be kept at the top of the political agenda.

“Some children carry a knife as a status symbol, to impress their friends, others believe it provides them with protection; very few intend to use it. Practically none of these teenagers will be aware that they are much more likely to be stabbed by their own knife than by someone else’s.

“It is the job of the mayor to lead the fight-back against violent crime; every Londoner has the right to walk our streets, to use our public transport and to enjoy our green spaces in confidence, and without fear of attack.

“Electing Boris Johnson as the Mayor of London on May 1st will be a massive step in the right direction.”

The Conservative Candidate for London Mayor, Boris Johnson said:

"After 10 years in Government and 8 years with Ken Livingstone as Mayor, with two weeks to go until London's elections, Labour have failed to address the serious issue of knife crime.

"Gun and knife crime has been blighting London's streets and we need fresh ideas to rid our communities of these weapons.

"Our current Labour leaders seem to be in a state of despair and Labour's lack of action on this issue in London has led to families unnecessarily losing loved ones. All Londoners have the chance on May 1st to vote for a change to help make their streets safer."

Shaun Bailey, who also heads the youth orientated charity My Generation, praised Boris’ crime manifesto:

“Boris understands the gravity of the situation that we are facing in London and his policies reflect that. A lot can be achieved by focusing on the smaller issues, such as anti-social behaviour on buses.
“Our children have to be educated about their responsibilities. They have to realise that their actions have consequences for both themselves and others.

“Boris’ pledge to provide support for the voluntary sector is absolutely vital if we are to win this fight.  There are many organisations experienced in dealing with deprived families and youth gangs and we have to make sure that we put their expertise to good use.”

BORIS JOHNSON: COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ABUSE FREE TRAVEL

The Conservative Candidate for Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has unveiled a new policy called 'Payback London' - a scheme whereby under-18's will have their bus passes permanently withdrawn for breaking the Behaviour Code and the only way to earn it back is to participate in Community Service.

At present, under-18s can travel on buses for free in London. This is a great investment and has provided welcome financial relief to parents across London. However, there are still problems with a minority of under-18s who abuse their privilege.

Commenting on the launch of the scheme, Boris said: “As I visit London Boroughs, there is one thing that continues to stand out in every area, whether Hillingdon or Harrow, Edmonton or Enfield - and that is the abuse of free travel by a minority of young people on our buses. It is unacceptable that in some parts of London, buses are intimidating places. Under a Johnson Mayoralty, the passes will be taken away and only given back when community service has taken place. I will end the something-for-nothing society culture for those who abuse it.”

Joanne added her support for Boris’ ‘Payback London’ scheme: "Free travel for children throughout London is not a right, but a privilege. I believe this scheme will help to curb the anti-social behaviour that is blighting London’s public transport system and demonstrate to the small minority of teenagers responsible that bad behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Joanne's Crime Survey Reveals 93% of Westminster Residents are Concerned About Anti-Social Behaviour

• Preliminary report reveals 58% 'very concerned', 35% 'slightly concerned' by the issue
• Survey shows 40% of crime victims do not report crime to the police
• Joanne says figures are 'totally unacceptable' and demonstrate the failure of ten years of Labour's 'top down' law and order policy
• Joanne supports council initiatives to address crime locally including the Safer Neighbourhood teams, CivicWatch citizens and crime hotlines

Joanne today released her preliminary report into crime in Westminster. 93% of those questioned expressed concerns about levels of anti-social behaviour in the local area; 58% of respondents to Joanne’s crime survey claimed to be 'very concerned’ about the issue, with a further 35% expressing ‘slight’ concerns. Of the residents surveyed who have been victims of crime in the past 12 months, almost 40% failed to report it to the police; over half suggest that this was because they felt that the police lacked either the ability or the inclination to take the requisite action.

The preliminary report provides an analysis of the responses to Joanne’s crime survey, distributed at tube stations across Westminster North in late September, of which there were in excess of two hundred. The survey, part of Joanne's 'Safer Neighbourhoods' campaign, sought to consult residents about their views on a variety of crime related issues including police numbers, levels of anti-social behaviour and crime reporting.

Commenting on the report Joanne said: 'The most horrendous aspect of my research is that 40% of victims of crime in the last twelve months have not felt able to report it to the police, primarily because they believe the police are unable to help them. This is totally unacceptable. Our police forces have become so overwhelmed with Government targets and red tape that the public no longer feels protected. I want the police free to do the job they do best and the public to feel safe again.'

Joanne supports the community based approach to crime adopted by Westminster's award winning Conservative Council. Following the announcement last week that 700 citizens have now signed up to the CivicWatch scheme she said: 'Westminster City Council is leading the way in innovative and local ways of addressing crime and anti-social behaviour. The CivicWatch citizen scheme, the Safer Neighbourhood teams and the council's crime hotlines provide an effective link between residents and our overstretched police. The Government must abandon its failed target driven approach to law and order, and back these initiatives which give local residents and the police more power to tackle crime in their communities.'

To view the preliminary analysis of Joanne's crime survey, please click on the link below:

Download safer_neighbourhoods_survey_analysis_2007.pdf

Joanne takes 'Safer Neighbourhoods' campaign to Church Street

Joanne this week launched the second phase of her ‘Safer Neighbourhoods’ campaign focusing on crime rates in Church Street.

Joanne has targeted Church Street for the second part of her crime initiative due to the continuing high levels of crime in the area and the effect crime is having on the wider community. Violent crime has risen by 12% in the last year and in August alone, there were 222 recorded anti-social behaviour offences in Church Street, an average of one incident every seven hours. Joanne’s ‘Safer Neighbourhood’s’ campaign in Church Street asks respondents to detail their own experiences of crime and their opinions on possible crime prevention strategies including: increased CCTV in crime hotspots, improved street lighting and 24 hour local policing.

Speaking whilst unveiling the second phase of her campaign Joanne said: ‘The people of Church Street have been let down badly by this Government. Rather than seeking to reassure local residents and tackle crime in the area with a strong police presence Labour has chained police officers to their desks with needless paperwork and box-ticking forms, undermining the well-being and security of residents. The second phase of my Safer Neighbourhoods campaign looks to address this by reaching out and working with the whole Church Street community, to help make the area a safer and better place to live.’

Joanne launches 'Safer Neighbourhoods' campign

Joanne today launched her ‘Safer Neighbourhoods’ campaign outside Bayswater and Queensway tube stations to highlight the concerns of residents at levels of crime in the area.

The campaign which begins with a week of activity at tube stations across Westminster North consults residents about their views on crime related issues. A short survey asks respondents to detail their own experiences of crime and their opinions on possible crime prevention strategies including: better discipline at school, increased CCTV in crime hotspots, improved street lighting and 24 hour local policing.

Speaking whilst handing out campaign leaflets to rush hour commuters, Joanne said: ‘Since 1997 violent crime in the UK has doubled and inner city areas such as Westminster North have been particularly badly affected. I am launching my Safer Neighbourhoods campaign to engage and work with local people in order to develop solutions that will effectively tackle the crime blighting so many lives, young and old, rich and poor across Westminster North.’

Bayswater councillor Suhail Rahuja welcomed the initiative: 'Crime is a real worry for people in Bayswater, particularly walking home from the tube or getting on a bus late at night. Joanne Cash's commitment to tackling crime in Westminster North through the Safer Neighbourhoods campaign is a welcome initiative that will help make our streets and neighbourhood safer.'