Jordan's Journal

Great news from the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, who has announced plans for extra support for police officers to get them out on the beat - fighting the crimes that matter to us here in Colchester.

While many people are worried about the effect of the credit crunch on jobs and homes and savings, people are also concerned about the effect the recession willhave on crime and the safety of our communities. That's precisely why the Government is taking action; slashing red tape, scrapping time sheets and freeing up more time for police to be out on the beat.

I am told by the Home Office that this will save up to seven million hours of police time - freeing up the equivalent of an extra 3,500 officers.

Already, Neighbourhood Policing Teams are working hard across Colchester, and Labour has introduced a 'Policing Pledge' to ensure the standards of service you can expect from your local force.

But its not all about red tape. The Labour Government is investing heavily in new technology to help police officers in their day-to-day duties. New hand-held computers are now being used to allow officers to stay in touch with the station while they're out on the streets.

Unfortunately, the Tories cannot say the same. In fact, they take every opportunity they can to talk our communities down. Even in these hard times, we must never give up on our communities like the Tories did in the last recession.