Tough times mean more crime - Brown - News in brief

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His comment echoed a leaked Home Office memo which caused controversy earlier this month by warning that the Government must be prepared for the possibility that tough economic circumstances could prompt a rise in crime, racial tension and terrorism.

Writing in the News of the World, Mr Brown said the Government would have to "step up our efforts" to tackle crime.

And he predicted: "With tough policing, tough penalties and united communities, we can keep crime down, and make Britain a stronger, safer nation."

The Prime Minister wrote: "We know that, historically, in tough economic times, there has been a rise in crimes of violence and theft.

"So just as we are acting to protect the economic security of the country, we must also step up our efforts to tackle crime and keep people safe on their streets and in their homes."

He outlined Labour's measures to boost police numbers to a historical high, cut red tape, encourage harsher sentencing and introduce local police teams in every community in England.

But he also called on ordinary citizens to support the authorities in the fight against crime, writing: "Violence and crime cannot be solved just by the police, the courts or the Government. It requires every person in every community to come together and work with the police to drive out crime and violence."