Alberto Costa MP today joined Rupert Matthews, the Conservative Party’s Candidate to be the next Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, in launching the local campaign for the PCC Election next May.
MP for South Leicestershire, Alberto Costa met with local councillors and residents in Broughton Astley on Saturday to launch the campaign and to discuss crime and related issues affecting the South Leicestershire constituency.
Alberto Costa MP said, “I am really delighted to support Rupert in his campaign to be our next Police and Crime Commissioner for our wonderful city and county. He has been a superb representative for the people of South Leicestershire and the wider region for many years, and no doubt he will make an excellent PCC, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role. Rupert has rightly promised to ensure that our Police have the resources they need to keep our streets safe, especially in our rural towns and villages, and I am very proud to support him”.
Rupert Matthews said, "Latest figures show that violent crime in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is at its highest since records began. In 2018 there were 25,327 cases of violence against a person - that is 69 every day! Murder, rape and sexual assaults were all also at high levels. Tackling violent crime needs a firm and imaginative approach. As well as increased stop and search powers by the police, there needs to be firm sentencing and effective targetting of crime prevention measures.
"The past three months have seen over 100 crimes here in Broughton Astley alone. Theft and burglary were the most common crimes, but violence was worryingly high and one arrest was made for possession of an offensive weapon. In the same period Lutterworth suffered three times as many reported crimes and other areas of the constituency were also affected. This shows that policing resources need to be rebalanced to properly respond to where crimes are really happening and where the fear of crime is greatest. "
The Police & Crime Commissioner Elections will take place on Thursday 7th May 2020.
