WILLES NEEDS REAL ACTION ON CRIME
| Standing up for you, our local County Councillor Helen Adkins has joined with Police Commissioner candidate Ben Twomey to tackle crime issues in our area. |
| Helping young people from falling into crime
Youth clubs are vital to keeping young people away from crime. The Conservative-run County Council has flogged off or shut down nine out of ten youth clubs in the county since 2010. Cuts to youth services need to be reversed, they have been directly linked to the rise in knife crime that has tragically taken lives in our town. Young people are the most likely to commit crimes, but also the most likely to be victims of them. That is why they are at the heart of Ben and Helen’s crime strategy. Ben is the Head of Policy for a national children’s charity, where he works hard to keep children safe from predatory county lines drugs gangs. Helen is an Academic Tutor at Warwick University. She said: “having taught for over 17 years, I am constantly inspired by the resilience of young people. But we need to protect and nurture our youth so they can meet their potential in life. Getting our youth clubs back is vital for us to keep crime down in our area.” If elected in May as Police Commissioner and Leader of the County Council, Ben and Helen will use their experience to create youth groups and support local charities that provide meaningful activities and keep young people out of trouble. |
| Tackling Drugs |
Ben and Helen have been shining a spotlight on drugs in our area. Two murders in South Leamington have been directly linked to drugs this year. Drug dealers need to be tracked down and stopped. Young people needed to be protected from exploitation. People suffering from addiction need access to treatment so they can recover. Ben developed Operation Pound in the West Midlands, hiring former bank workers and IT professionals to investigate and seize the money and assets of criminal gangs. These gangs profit from peddling misery on our streets, and as Police Commissioner, Ben would spend seized money on treating addictions and supporting youth
Safer Roads
Five years ago, a driver lost control of his car on the Radford Road, cutting three young lives short.
Emily, Ryan and Nathan (all in their twenties) were killed, but the driver survived. He was well over the legal alcohol limit and was driving without a full license, insurance or a valid MOT.
Local police officers did their job and the driver was convicted to nine years in prison. But after just three years inside, one year per victim, the grieving families were told by the probation service that he was being released on temporary license.
Ben has been campaigning with the support of the families to make sentences match the crime. Ben has raised this case with the relevant Government Minister, and has secured assurances that a new law will help victims and their families to get justice.
These are the fifth set of promises received by the families by five separate Conservative government ministers over five years. Ben is working hard to hold them to their word this time.
Emily’s mother, Gill, said “we are all still heartbroken and know this won’t bring our children back, but hopefully it will help someone else.”
Investing in our area
Helen has used her budget as County Councillor to introduce speed measures in Gainsborough Drive and St Fremund Way. Gainsborough Drive will have additional measures of speed cushions later in the year. Soon there will be a redesign of the crossing on the Willes Road, which will make it safer to cross and slow traffic down. This is Helen delivering on her election promises.
| Choose Ben and Helen in May and they will work together to keep you safer. Ben and Helen will: | |
- Increase police numbers, to get officers back on the beat in our communities.
- Make sure you are heard, by sharing the powers of the Police Commissioner with you.
- Put victims at the heart of the justice system, appointing Warwickshire’s first Victims’ Commissioner.
- Stand up for young people, by supporting local youth groups and creating new ones.