Livingston by-election 2005

'ID cards won't catch criminals, more police will.' Cllr Angela Constance, 25 th September 2005.

SNP launch final week with focus on public services and crime

From the Scotsman 26 th September 2005

SNP Leader Alex Salmond and local candidate Angela Constance today hit out at Labour for the party's failure to tackle the real issues of crime that impact most on communities across West Lothian.

Mr Salmond warned that Labour could not be trusted to deliver on public services or crime while Ms Constance condemned Labour's record as she published new figures, obtained under freedom of information, which show a huge increase in drug offences.

In the Lothians, offences related to the supply of drugs have increased by 71% since Labour came to power while possession has increased 47%. In West Lothian the increase has been even greater, with supply up 85% in 8 years and possession up 60%.

Commenting Mr Salmond said:

These latest figures show that Labour cannot be trusted to deliver on crime. Their time in office has seen a huge increase in offences involving drugs and knives, more people offending on bail and hundreds of hours of police time wasted in our court system.

Despite their tough talk, the response of the Labour Party shows they are clueless about tackling crime. Labour councillors voted against an SNP proposal to put more police on the streets, while all Labour's gaffe-prone candidate can do is launch a petition.

They are not up to the job of ensuring real security and safety for the people of this area. On public services and crime, Labour promise the earth, but fail to deliver.

The voters of Livingston have a great opportunity this Thursday to have their voice heard. They can make a difference for this community and Scotland as a whole by punishing Labour for their lies and failure, with a vote for Angela Constance and the

SNP. SNP candidate Angela Constance added:

Freedom of information is exposing the years of failure under Labour. These latest official figures show drug crime on the rise, with huge increases in supply and possession in our own streets and communities.

Behind these statistics are real people. Each one represents a family or individual blighted by drugs and still eight years on Labour have failed to get a grip on this problem. The SNP would put more police into our communities and provide additional rehabilitation for drug users, including a three month maximum wait.

Labour have been given plenty of time to get it right. It is now time to hold them to account for their empty promises and overblown claims. The people of Livingston can make a difference by voting SNP.

NOTE - The figures show:

Lothian - an increase from 1164 to 1986 in the offence of supply or possession with intention to supply - a 71% increase since 1997. There has also been an increase from 2821 to 4152 in possession - a 47% increase.

Edinburgh - for supply the increase is from 731 to 1079 (48%) and for possession 1666 to 2417 (45%)

West Lothian - for supply the increase is from 184 to 341 (85.3) and for possession 459 to 734 (60%)

Offence - Lothians	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Supply, possession with intention to supply etc of drugs	1164	859	1494	1530	1905	2085	1522	1986
Possession of drugs	2821	2381	3435	3596	3596	4432	3803	4152