Police figures show that more laws doesn't mean more justice

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th Jun 2007

After new figures reveal that Devon and Cornwall Constabulary has been bringing a declining number of crimes to justice, Cornwall's MPs have accused Labour of failing to tackle crime. The figures, released today, show that only 15.3% of offences resulted in a conviction.

Last month the Liberal Democrats published new House of Commons research showing that under both Conservative and Labour Governments Cornwall has been allowed fewer police than elsewhere in the country - with only 214 officers to every 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 262.

Nearly one in five service users are unhappy with the local service provided by the stretched police force, though the MPs welcome a rise in satisfaction levels and paid particular tribute to the improved service provided to those who had suffered racist incidents.

Commenting, North Cornwall's MP, Dan Rogerson said:

"We're in no doubt that the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary is working hard in difficult circumstances.

"But Ministers have placed them in an absurd straitjacket - with more and more offences to police - more paperwork attached to each, and fewer officers than the national average.

"This is simply further evidence that we need more police - not more laws, and certainly not a multi-billion pound identity card disaster."

Truro and St Austell MP, Matthew Taylor added:

"The government has created over 3000 new criminal offences since it came to power. Yet only 1 in 100 offences is ever heard by a court.

"These local figures reflect the national reality of a failing law and order policy - and with fewer police - just four officers to every five in other parts of the country - Cornwall is in an especially difficult position.

"Cornwall and Devon police officers do a brilliant job individually, but just don't have the resources both to tackle crime and sit in police stations ticking Ministers' boxes. It's time we got our police out from under their mountains of paperwork and on to the street."