John Baron

Conservative Party | Billericay and District

Neighbourhood Watch

Firstly, I would like to thank all members of our Neighbourhood Watch Schemes - such schemes are a valuable contribution in our fight against crime.

A number of issues were discussed at our meeting on 9th June.

With regards binge-drinking, I believe one of the best ways to minimise this is to stop more themed pubs from coming into Billericay High Street, otherwise it will suffer the same fate as some neighbouring towns and become just another 'pub alley'.  To this end, we have been active in blocking undesirable planning applications.

Meanwhile, in order to combat rising crime, to me there is no substitute to putting a massive increase of police officers on our streets.  Local residents rightly feel strongly about this, and 6,000 constituents signed my 'More Bobbies on the Beat' petition which I presented to the Home Secretary.   We need as a country a step change in policing levels with an extra 40,000 officers on the beat -  this would represent a further 1,000 officers for Essex. 

In addition, we need stiffer court sentences, reform of our prisons and a zero tolerance approach to crime which worked so well in New York during the 1990s. 

These extra police officers would largely be paid for by cutting down on the large number of illegal immigrants and failed asylum seekers who end up staying in this country because our systems have broken down, and humanely returning them home.

The proliferation of speed cameras was also discussed, as some appear to be simple revenue raisers.  In my view, confidence can only be restored in these cameras if an independent audit of the number, need and position of existing cameras is conducted.

A recent report has highlighted that nearly half of the cameras nationally have made no difference to accident rates.  In addition, the Government has admitted to creaming off £9 million from the £14 million raised in speeding fines from Essex motorists between 1997 and 2002.

Needless to say, should you wish to discuss any of these or other issues, then please do not hesitate to phone me on 01268-520765, or write to me at The House of Commons, London SW1A OAA.