Bring Back Local Justice

9.39.38am GMT Fri 29th Jan 2010

Chris Coleman has launched a campaign to improve the quality of local justice in the Forest of Dean.

The Liberal Democrat campaigner, who is standing to be the next Member of Parliament in this area, is calling for the reopening of local Police Stations. In a letter welcoming the new Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary, Chris has set out his call for improved local Policing.

More Police on the beat...

In his letter Chris has written: "The people of the Forest of Dean deserve so much more. Many local Police Stations have been shut down whilst others open for only a small part of the week.

Residents tell me that they rarely see Police Officers in their local areas and of course that has a big impact on how safe people feel."

Chris says: "I really hope that the new Chief Constable will actively support our calls to increase police numbers in this area."

The local campaign is part of a Liberal Democrat pledge to put 10,000 more police on the beat which will be paid for by scrapping ID cards. We will reduce police bureaucracy and will stop ducking the tough choices on police reform by giving local people a direct say in policing in their area by electing police authorities

Reopen our local Court...

Chris is also campaigning for the reopening of the Forest of Dean Magistrates Court in Coleford.

Chris said: "It is an outrage that an area the size of the Forest is not served by a local Courthouse.

Victims of crime and witnesses have to travel to Cheltenham, Gloucester or Stroud to see Justice being done. How can people have confidence in the Criminal Justice system when it clearly cares so little about them?"

Chris added: "If I am elected as your next Member of Parliament, fighting for a reduction in crime and an improvement in local justice will be a top priority."