Huhne: Crime prevention is better than cure

Commenting on the Policy Exchange report on the need for a crime reduction strategy, Chris Huhne said: "This report rightly lays bare the Government’s abject failure to tackle crime despite more spending than any other country in Europe."

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, went on to say; "Ministers have consistently favoured political posturing on what sounds tough over what works. The result is the criminalisation of a generation of young people, prisons bursting at the seams and sky-high re-offending rates."

"Professor Waller is right that we are missing easy hits which can dramatically cut crime, and the prevention of crime should have as much priority as punishment. For victims, prevention is better than cure."

Concluding Chris said; "Some of the biggest falls in crime across the UK have been in Liberal Democrat controlled cities like Liverpool and Newcastle where prevention - with schemes like alley gates - has been given its proper place."