Tough love Cameron blames society for crime
David Cameron believes society is responsible for crime
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Thursday, 02, Nov 2006 08:44
David Cameron has called on society to show a "lot more love" to help prevent crime in the UK.
The Conservative leader, addressing a convention of the Youth Justice Board in Cardiff today, described crime as a "social phenomenon" which society was ultimately responsible for.
Pointing to a study by the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) released earlier today, Mr Cameron said that the government's approach to crime had failed and that a more compassionate, black and white approach was needed.
"Our youth justice system isn't working properly at punishing and deterring crime. And our society isn't giving enough support to young people to stop them becoming criminals. Justice and love. The two sides of our approach to crime," the leader of the opposition said.
"I'm not going to beat my breast and say we're all guilty. But the fact is that crime is a social phenomenon and it has its social causes," he added.
Home Office minister Tony McNulty responded to Mr Cameron's comments by scoffing at his "love a lout" ideas.
"Rather than spouting vague platitudes and trying to grab headlines, Cameron would do well to explain why he and his party have continually opposed Labour's tough and necessary measures to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour," Mr McNulty said.
"If he is concerned about crime and justice, why have his party tried over and over again to block Labour's legislation? Why does he dismiss our respect agenda - which is making a genuine difference to people's lives - as a 'gimmick'?"