Speaking on a visit to Kings Park in Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Nicol Stephen set out his party's plans to cut crime with 1,000 extra community police officers, tough community sentences and new seven year sentences for knife crime.
Nicol Stephen said:
"Across Scotland, people tell me they want more action to cut crime and make their communities safer. That is why the Scottish Liberal Democrats will recruit 1,000 extra community police officers to make our streets safer.
“I want to see more action to deal with local criminals and tackle nuisance behaviour in our communities.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats will fund at least two additional community police officers in every council ward in Scotland to provide visible local policing. These will be dedicated local officers, known and trusted in their community.
"I also want to see better joint working between these community police, community wardens, antisocial behaviour teams and the local council. We need stronger action on local incidents to make the community safer, cut violence and reduce anti social behaviour.
"Key to cutting crime is dealing with reoffending. Liberal Democrats will introduce tough community sentences to make criminals work to repay their offences.
“More police are vital if we are to crack down harder on violent crime. Some communities continue to suffer a terrible toll from high levels of violence. Too many lives have been lost or disfigured by this culture of violence and knife crime.
"We will give a clear, unambiguous signal about the seriousness of carrying a knife. We will introduce new maximum seven year sentences for possession of a knife.
"Over 40% of all violent crimes are committed under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Between 60% and 70% of prisoners were using illegal drugs before imprisonment. We will double the resources for drug and alcohol treatment services from £30 million to £60 million per year.
“With more police, tough community sentences and new seven year sentences for knife crime the Liberal Democrats are determined to cut crime in our communities.”
