 | 'Rising crime is a major concern in Livingston and across the Lothians. These new figures show that some of the most threatening and worrying crimes are on the rise across the region, with possession of an offensive weapon more than doubling in just eight years under Labour.' Cllr Angela Constance, 25 th September 2005. |  |
SNP candidate in the Livingston by-election, Angela Constance, has released new figures obtained under freedom of information, which show that possessions of an offensive weapon have more than doubled since Labour came to power in 1997.
In West Lothian the number of offences has risen from 77 in 1997 to 177 in 2004 - an increase of 130%, while across the Lothians the increase has been 372 to 866 - a rise of 133%. In Edinburgh the increase has been from 190 to 463 or 143%.
In West Lothian offences of having an article with a blade or point have increased by two-thirds from 27 to 45 compared to a Lothian wide increase of 30%.
Commenting Ms Constance said:
"Rising crime is a major concern in Livingston and across the Lothians. These new figures show that some of the most threatening and worrying crimes are on the rise across the region, with possession of an offensive weapon more than doubling in just eight years under Labour.
"What people find most frustrating about Labour's response on crime is that it is big on presentation and low on delivery.
"In recent days Labour in West Lothian have voted to oppose more community police and in the UK they are determined to press ahead with the folly of expensive ID cards when all evidence suggests that they will not work to tackle the crimes that impact most on our community. ID cards won't catch criminals, more police will.
"One of the first votes facing the next MP for Livingston will be on ID cards and I will be voting against Labour's £10 billion piece of plastic. I will argue strongly for the same investment to go to putting more police on our streets.
"Labour are clueless on crime. They must take their full share of the blame for this rising tide of weapons crime, including the possession of knives. The voters of Livingston can make a difference on crime and security by voting in favour of more community police and by voting SNP."
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