Blair restates September deadline to get street crime 'under control'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tony Blair yesterday restated his promise that street crime would be falling by the end of September.
During Prime Minister's Question Time, he faced bitter criticism from Iain Duncan Smith, the Conservative leader, who accused Labour of "failing" on crime.
Challenging Mr Blair over rising levels of muggings, Mr Duncan Smith said: "You forever say that you will be judged on exactly how effective the measures are that you are taking. But street crime has increased by more than 30 per cent over the last year and doubled in the last three years.
"So, presumably by your own measure, you must now be failing," he said.
Mr Blair said the Government had been getting more police on the streets, tightening bail regulations and pushing cases through magistrates' courts more quickly. "We will indeed ... by the end of September get street crime under control," he insisted.
The Prime Minister said that if Mr Duncan Smith was "serious" in his commitment to fight crime, he would reverse Tory policy and support the "essential" Proceeds of Crime Bill now before Parliament.
But Mr Duncan Smith said: "You know that we have supported the Bill and voted in favour of the confiscation of assets for criminals, particularly drug dealers.
"You should apologise and say you were wrong."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments