Tories ditch hard line attitude to crime

The Conservative Party is ditching the hard-line attitudes on tackling crime associated with its past, according to shadow home affairs minister Edward Garnier QC.

He told a party conference fringe meeting, organised by Community Care and the Barrow Cadbury Trust, that Labour’s ‘get tough’ approach was not working.

Garnier, who is an MP and a judge, was speaking at a meeting focusing on offending by 18- to 24-year-olds, a group often neglected by services.

“Increasing sentences for these young people is absolutely non-effective in reducing crime,” he said.

“Yes, it makes the public feel protected, but in fact it is a complete waste of taxpayers’ money.”

* Edward Garnier will be answering your questions about the criminal justice system online at www.communitycare.co.uk. Send your questions to clare.jerrom@rbi.co.uk