HUNTER FIGHTS FOR MORE POLICE

9.30.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 28th Jun 2005

Charles Kennedy and Mark Hunter want more police on patrol in our area

LIB DEM by-election candidate Mark Hunter has launched his campaign with a pledge to fight for more police on patrol in our area. Mr Hunter is also calling for tougher sentences for drug dealers and action to tackle bureaucracy that keeps police officers off the streets.

Mark said, "Crime and anti-social behaviour causes misery for many local people. Despite a lot of tough talk from Tory and Labour politicians in London, our local police force remains underfunded. This must change."

Only last year, the local Lib Dem run Council was forced to spend more cash to put an extra 50 officers on patrol across our area. Yet the funding from the Labour Government remains well below what it should be.

Petition launched

Together with local Lib Dem campaigners Mark Hunter has launched a petition demanding fair funding for our local police. Mark Hunter said, "If elected, I will take the battle for better funding for local police to Parliament. Local people deserve a properly funded police force."