Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Abbott has condemned Labour councillors who today implied that crime in Redcar & Cleveland Borough is the result of benefit cuts.

After falling considerably in 2012-13, this year’s crime figures in the borough have so far shown a small increase overall.

At today’s Council meeting Labour Councillor Ian Jeffrey blamed this on Government cuts to benefits. However, as Lib Dem Councillor Chris Abbott points out, most of the rise this year is due to anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, not people stealing food.

Cllr Abbott said:

“Crime has fallen massively under the present Government. Today’s figures from the Crime Survey of England and Wales show crime falling to the lowest level since 1981.

“The rise in crime in our borough is due to anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, not people stealing food to feed their families.

“To suggest that being on a low income causes crime is an appalling insult to the vast majority of people on low incomes who are law-abiding.

“Whilst Labour make excuses for criminals, the Lib Dems are on the side of law-abiding people and the police.”