Member News
Parts of the UK's inner cities resemble the violent districts of Baltimore as portrayed in the US television drama The Wire, the Conservatives claim.
Chris Grayling argued in a speech that the rise in violent crime, up by 70 per cent since Labour came to power, suggests that a US-style "culture of violence" has come to Britain.
The comments are also part of an attempt by senior Conservatives to portray their party as being more progressive than Labour on social policy.
The shadow home secretary said Labour had failed to maintain law and order and deliver a reduction in crime for the poorest parts of the country.
Grayling argued that the key to improving life for people in the most deprived areas is supporting the family and insisting on "community work for the long-term unemployed and removing benefits from those who will not participate in the journey back to work".
He said: "When The Wire comes to Britain's streets, it is the poor who suffer most. It is the poor who are the ones who have borne the brunt of the surge in violence under this government.
"It is they who struggle to live their lives against a constant fear of crime. Far too many of those features of what we have always seen as a US phenomenon are now to be found on the streets of Britain as well."
In response, Home Office minister Alan Campbell insisted the government was helping in reducing crime rates, focusing on local areas most at risk.
"Since 1997, crime has fallen by 36 per cent, but we remain determined to crack down on drug-related crime and the harm it causes communities," he said.
"Overall drug use is at historically low levels and robust action is ensuring drugs are being taken off the streets."
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.