New laws fail to tackle the causes of crime

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 6th Apr 2007

Commenting as the Violent Crime Reduction Act takes effect today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Constitutional Affairs Secretary, and South London MP, Simon Hughes said:

"This Act contains some good new laws. Holding to account those who carry guns and knives for others, and attempts to halt the spread of criminal use of replica weapons, are welcome measures.

"But this Act should also have enforced the same maximum sentencing for use of guns and knives, and rejected mandatory minimum sentences for any crime.

"The Blair years end as they began - with too many wide-ranging laws and tough sounding words, and not enough effective enforcement of the laws we have, nor action to deal with the causes of crime in the first place.

"The biggest tasks for the police are to stop guns being so available and to come down with no mercy on those who deal with guns and hard drugs.

"The streets of places like South London will only be safe for young people if parents and schools take more responsibility. We also need a massively expanded youth work system with good role models and constructive activities so that young people can be good and proud citizens and not resort to crime.

"And the sooner the media, young people's entertainment, and the rest of society stop glorifying violence, the sooner we will have a civilised and safer country to live in."