NEW figures show crime has fallen across Britain in the past year. Overall, crime has fallen an amazing 39 per cent in Seaham, County Durham, compared with the same period last year – despite predictions over recent months of a recession-linked crimewave.

This is good news and shows that our communities have not been broken by the recession as the Conservatives would have us believe.

This has not happened by accident. It is because of the brilliant work of our neighbourhood police teams and community safety partnerships.

Police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs) in East Durham in particular should be very proud of their work during these tough times.

Getting more bobbies on the beat in our streets is a local top priority. That’s why I support Labour investment that has meant there are now 16,000 more police officers and 16,000 more PCSOs on our streets.

I won’t stand for cuts to frontline police officers and support officers.

On the face of it, Conservative plans would mean 3,500 less officers on Britain’s streets. I do not think this is the way forward to fight crime.

Grahame Morris, Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Easington.