Menzies in SECOND visit to by-election town

WITH just one week of campaigning to go, candidates for the Bromley and Chislehurst by-election are pounding the streets and trying to convince residents to give them their vote. The Bromley Times catches up with the parties as the countdown to polling day begins.

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT candidate Ben Abbotts was again joined by party leader Sir Menzies Campbell on Monday as they outlined the findings of a Lib Dem crime survey to residents.

After revealing that two in three residents did not feel safe going out at night, and that nine in ten people feel they get a raw deal in terms of policing from Mayor Ken Livingstone, Mr Abbotts said: "Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour is my top priority. Tough action is needed on crime to make sure there are no no-go areas in Bromley.

"I want to see more police on our streets, increased use of CCTV and extra street wardens. Local people should not be frightened to leave their house.

"Local residents are stunned that local Conservatives who run Bromley council have failed to back Lib Dem proposals for an increase in mobile CCTV and street wardens.

"Local people rightly take pride in our area. As Bromley's full-time MP I will champion Bromley's need to get more police and get the tough action we need to clampdown on crime.

"I will be meeting Inspector Andy Johnstone tomorrow to discuss the results of the survey and crime initiatives in the area."

Sir Menzies visited the borough last Monday to answer questions with from Bromley College students.

Mr Abbotts, with Lib Dem Home Affairs spokesman Nick Clegg MP, also met firefighters over the weekend to discuss local concerns such as access to buildings, the pace of change at work and traffic calming issues.

Mr Clegg commented: "The number of burnt out cars here in Bromley is the second highest across London. This is a major problem for the Fire Brigade locally. Fighting crime and anti-social behaviour is Ben Abbotts' top priority."

Mr Abbotts said: "It was a great pleasure to meet the local fire-fighters, who play a vital role in the local community, not just fighting fires and attending road traffic accidents but also promoting fire safety awareness.

"The fire-fighters asked me to raise parking with the local council, especially where cars park both sides of the road, often making access for the fire engines extremely difficult.

BROMLEY TIMES