Rishi's Pledge To Make Britain's Streets Safer

PM plans to tackle crime after nation rocked by wave of murder and violence

- John Twomey

RISHI Sunak is committed to making the nation’s streets and homes “safe for everybody” after a horrific wave of murders over Christmas.

He will ensure police have the resources to tackle the criminals who have left many innocent families mourning their loved ones.

The litany of death includes, Elle Edwards, 26, shot while out with friends; Cody Fisher, 23, stabbed in a club; and Dave Peck, 51, killed in a pub attack in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.

As detectives investigated the horrific spate of killings, the Prime Minister pledged to ensure police have enough resources to tackle serious crimes – including burglary.

In a message via his spokesperson, he said yesterday: “We need to ensure everybody has the confidence that they are safe and their homes are safe.

“And that is why we’re putting investment into policing.”

The pledge came in response to the sickening violent crime in this year’s “season of goodwill”.

One veteran front line officer fears lawlessness is now so bad, Britain is a “step away” from a fully armed police force.

Glen Smyth, a former inspector and ex-chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said the country is far less safe than 20 or 30 years ago when there were fewer shootings and stabbings. He said: “When I joined the police, firearms incidents were headline news. Now they hardly get a mention unless they are despicable like the Wallasey shooting of Elle Edwards. You had to call out firearms officers in those days.

“But now they are on routine patrol all the time.