§ 11.5 pm
§ Mrs. Llin Golding (Newcastle-under-Lyme)I beg leave to present a petition on behalf of 8,535 signatories on the breakdown of law and order. The petition was collected by members of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Labour party and by others outside the party, notably Marie Price. My constituents rushed to sign it. Is that any wonder, when crime has doubled since 1979?
Violent crime has doubled, burglaries have doubled and robberies have trebled. People have signed the petition because they do not want to be frightened to open their doors, to go out at night or to use subways. They do not want to be worried that their houses or cars will be broken 135 into when they leave them. They want action to prevent crime. They want the Government to take the petition seriously.
Wherefore your petitioners pray that your honourable House will urge the Government to take urgent steps to halt the breakdown of law and order. Your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
§ To lie upon the Table