Tackling crime and disorder

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Apr 2007

John Dixon and Ed Bridges want to put right Labour's criminal record on law and order

After nearly 10 years in power, Labour haven't managed to tackle crime.

Violent crime has doubled and problems of anti-social behaviour continue to rise. Meanwhile the Conservatives can't make up their mind what to do about crime.

The Liberal Democrats have launched a five-step plan to cut crime. It would see:

1. More police on patrol instead of wasted billions on ID cards

2. Closing pubs and clubs that cause trouble

3. Making sentences mean what they say - the Lib Dems believe life should mean life

4. Compulsory work and training in prison to cut reoffending

5. More compensation for victims - paid for by prison work

Local Lib Dem, John Dixon, said: "Cutting crime is a top priority for Liberal Democrats. Labour may have talked tough, but they've achieved little, and people have lost confidence in the system."