Conservatives: An interesting idea, but insufficient

Wednesday, 04, Apr 2007 12:00

David Davis, the shadow home secretary, has stopped short of supporting Labour's plans for 'talking' CCTV cameras, despite considering it "a useful tool against anti-social behaviour".

"It is no substitute for having a real police presence on our streets and communities, detecting and deterring crime. People want real policing, not scarecrow policing," he said.

In a reference to Tony Blair's much derided suggestion some years ago that yobs be marched to cash points by police for on-the-spot fines, he speculated as to whether it will go "the same way as night courts and cash point fees".

Both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives have criticised Labour for relying on headline grabbing gimmicks over real substance.