Mayor Livingstone has revealed his latest anti-crime initiative: “arresting people for spitting and dropping litter”
In a move certain to win the approval of hardline Home Secretary David Blunkett, the Labour Mayor told BBC Radio London that he would be instructing Police and Community Wardens to get tough with spitters, litter bugs and bus queue jumpers.
Livingstone said that most people would prefer to live in a more civilised city “even if we have to pay fines” to achieve it.
Although MayorWatch supports sensible initiatives to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour we have to question whether Ken’s stated priorities reflect those of ordinary Londoners who face a huge surge in council tax and a 7.5% increase in the Mayor’s precept.
Correction: Earlier versions of this article referred to a 17.5% increase in the Mayor’s Precept. This was in fact a typing error and the correct figure is 7.5%.
Tom Finch says
I think it is disgusting that we are paying an extra £17 in our Council Tax to pay for three police officers and three ‘community support’ officers to go around and arrest people for minor things such as spitting, dropping rubbish and not standing in a qu
Daniel says
I thought Ken wanted to cut crime by 50%? Now he’s making new offences up. Madness!
Andy Russell says
What about dealing with London’s drug problem? Or dealing with the mobs of kids who roam the streets and cause a nuisance? These are more important that arresting old ladies for nt standing in a line.
David H. says
Fantastic idea! Next Ken will be coming to check we’ve tidied our bedrooms.