Pubdate: Tue, 18 Jun 2002
Source: Independent  (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209
Author: Andrew Grice

TORIES ANGLE FOR UPPER HAND WITH FIVE-POINT PLAN TO TACKLE CRIME

The Conservative Party leadership is drawing up a five-point plan to tackle 
rising crime as it begins to answer criticism that the Opposition is a 
"policy-free zone".

Oliver Letwin, the shadow Home Secretary, will outline his themes in a 
speech tomorrow: more police on the streets; a crackdown on hard drugs; a 
shake-up of the criminal justice system; early intervention to stop 
"problem" youngsters becoming repeat offenders; and much greater 
rehabilitation to cut the high rate of reoffending.

Crime will be one of the first areas in which the Tories sketch out their 
broad policy themes later this year, starting at the party conference in 
Bournemouth in October. Iain Duncan Smith, their leader, is closely 
involved in the plans.

The Tories believe that David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, has unveiled 
too many headline-grabbing initiatives in an attempt to make Labour look 
"tough" on crime. They will stress their package is neither "hard" nor 
"soft" but balanced.

Addressing the Centre for Policy Studies think-tank in London, Mr Letwin 
will advocate a "spot them young" approach under which primary schools 
would be urged to identify children with problems.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth