‘War On Wasters’ Pledge From Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate

The Police and Crime Commissioner election is approaching fast (May 5th) with one candidate setting out a pledge today of a ‘war on wasters’ in Wrexham.

David Taylor, Labour’s candidate for the position of North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, said he would launch a “war on wasters” in Wrexham if elected, targeting what he calls the “thugs, vandals and anti-social riffraff who threaten to ruin so many lives”.

Likening it to a New York style “zero tolerance” approach to anti-social behaviour Mr Taylor says he will insist the police launch a zero tolerance approach to graffiti, anti-social drinking, fly tipping and littering and will demand that councils take a much tougher line with anti-social tenants.

Mr Taylor said: “Graffiti and litter blight too much of North Wales, damaging our vital tourist industry and adding to the sense that the outside world is a hostile and dangerous place. A tiny minority of people are responsible for the bulk of this kind of crime and I want North Wales Police to target them and – if required – put them behind bars.

“When Labour were in government in Westminster we brought in ASBOs and took anti-social behaviour seriously for the first time. David Cameron’s coalition government, for spurious reasons of so-called civil liberties, have weakened the police’s powers to act. But if I am elected as Police Commissioner, I will insist that the force uses the powers it has to maximum effect. I don’t care if that upsets someone at a North London dinner party: they don’t have to live with the fear – people in many of our communities do.

“I will also act against anti-social drinking in our town centres. It is simply intolerable that we have groups of men hanging around with lager cans on many of our high streets and in parks creating a hostile and intimidating environment. They should be at work, not boozing. I’ll use the powers we have to get them removed and dealt with – all the way to prison, if they persist on blighting the environment.

“If I am elected on 5 May, I will declare war on wasters. Decent people living and working in Wrexham have had enough and I will take their side when it comes to applying the law.”

He added: “Zero tolerance works. It cuts crime. It drives regeneration. It encourages investment. If I am elected as North Wales’s Police Commissioner it will be coming to Wrexham – and fast.”

To take part in the vote you need to be registered by Monday 18th April. Nominations close next week, when we will have the full list of who is standing…