Anne Tolley MP
National Party Associate Welfare (CYF) Spokeswoman

1 October 2007

Labour presides over woeful record on youth crime

Labour's lack of commitment to tackling youth crime is breeding hardened criminals, says National's Associate Welfare spokeswoman, Anne Tolley.

Mrs Tolley is commenting on the latest crime statistics which show violent crime among 14 to 16-year-olds has gone up by a staggering 47% since Labour took power.

"Eight per cent of that has been in the past year. Under Labour, grievous assaults among 14 to 16-year-olds has risen a whopping 143%, serious assaults are up 40% and crimes involving intimidation and threats have increased by 54%.

"Labour's record on sexual assaults among young people is equally woeful - they have increased by 28.3%."

Mrs Tolley says property damage has also risen, as has the rate of burglaries among 14 to 16-year-olds.

"They have gone through the roof - up by more than 90% since Labour took office.

"Labour has turned a blind eye to youth crime, and young offenders are turning into serious, hardened criminals.

"You only have to look at the adult crime figures out today which show that since 1999, violent crime has risen by 32%, robberies by 55% and grievous assaults by 70%.

"The Government needs to admit it has been slack on youth crime despite protestations it is taking the issue seriously.

"Tell that to all the victims of teenage crime.

"I bet the universal response will be, yeah, right."

ENDS

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