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Gloves off ... Boris takes on crime
Pippa Crerar, Political Correspondent22.04.08
Boris Johnson revealed today he plans to use money seized from drug dealers to help the police fight crime.
He promised to use measures in the Proceeds of Crime Bill to allow the Met to keep confiscated cash rather than handing it over to the Home Office.
The Tory candidate said he would fight off any attempt to block him by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, whom he wants to meet to discuss the plans.
However, the Met already gets back 50 per cent of all assets seized, irrespective of crime, netting them an extra £1.4 million last year.
Mr Johnson told The Sun: " Everyone I meet in London is worried about crime on the streets, and they know it stems from drugs. These crooks are making a fortune by peddling drugs, using the cash to buy luxury homes, flash cars, jewellery, plasma TVs and whatever else. London police should know that when they seize such assets they will be allowed to use it to the benefit of Londoners."
The money would fund a range of measures including more drug rehabilitation schemes.
Mr Johnson blamed drugs for feeding gang culture, which has led to a series of stabbings and a rise in gun crime in London. He put tackling crime at the heart of his manifesto after Londoners made it clear it was their top priority for the Mayor. However, Ken Livingstone said the Met already gets money back from drug seizures. He said: "We're always arguing with the Government we should keep more of it and I'm delighted Boris has seen our point of view."
Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick denied reports that he would take a job from Mr Johnson if the Tory was elected. There had been rumours Mr Johnson was prepared to offer him the chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, even though Mr Johnson has said he would take the role himself so he could better lobby the Government.
But the former police officer said: "I could not work with Boris Johnson. Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson are as bad as each other and I would never serve in either of their administrations."
He said the thought of having Mr Livingstone as his boss "sends shivers down my spine".
Mr Paddick refused to say who he would endorse with his second preference votes, which could swing the election, merely suggesting it would not be either of his two main rivals.
He said: "The way democracy works is this - you have different candidates and they try and convince the electorate that they are the best candidate.
"As far as who people vote for after that candidate, that's a matter for them."
Reader views (11)
I feel I have to comment a second time to combat 'Billy Blighty'.
What Boris is suggesting is that all assets seized by the police will go towards funding the police.
- Robert Cunningham, Harrow, London, UK
Presumably Boris has informed the police of the identity of those he claims to know are living off the proceeds of crime? Bandwaggoning buffoon.
- Billy Blighty, Sydney Australia
Frankly I think this is a great idea from Boris- any relief on the taxpayer is welcome.
And what better use for money seized from criminals than to help combat crime?
- Robert Cunningham, Harrow, London, UK
I like Boris.
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
Does Livingstone deserve a third term? Only a term in prison for all the money he and his 'team' have squandered. He runs London like a third world dictatorship and is more interested in his own ego than actually doing his job. 4 more years of him will be a complete disaster for London.
- Mike Stern, London
Drug crime fuelling gang culture. I have said it before and I will say it again, Boris just like the rest of the Tories, is a populist and opportunist. His generic solutions make him no better than Ken.
Unless you take the time to understand what's going on in the minds of the young citizens that are involved in the gang culture, you will never solve the problem. I work with these youths on a daily basis and I can tell you straight up that drugs contribute very little to the gang culture and have a little bearing on the way these kids think.
- Clive, London, UK
I think Boris should consider employing hundreds of cronies on six figure salaries and giving nearly all of the London budget to minority groups.
That should get him elected and keep him elected.
Its a wonder someone hasn't thought of that one already?
- Simon Carter, Maidstone Kent
Ken's little socialist experiment is running out of gas all the newt can do is tell us how bad Boris will be. Ha, what about your slimy corrupt regime? Boris will have a good strong team behind him,
- Diane Benjamin, london
I love this guy, he actually has some common sense. Quick loony lefties! silence him before it rubs off on the rest of you!
- Jimbob, Kensington
More hot hair from the great oaf from Henley. The amount of money received from seized assets is far less than BJ would like us to believe and barely funds the legal fees and manpower to seize it in the first place!
This has been as well thought out as his Nouveau Routemaster! Truly he does open his mouth without thinking.
- Paulo Uccello, London UK
Brilliant. Since most of the crime in London is drugs related it makes perfect sense that when drug money is seized it is put back in to making London's streets safer. More great thinking from Boris unlike the present Mayor who yesterday offered an open air cinema. We all want to feel safer on the streets - not sit watching a film in the rain!
Vote Boris!
- Louise, Camberwell, London
