“Action needed to tackle knife and other crime in Slough” - John Howson

"As a victim of knife crime myself, I fully agree with Slough Lib Dems Sukh Dhillon and Jo Hanney that we need to adopt innovative approaches to tackle crime more effectively." This was the message from John Howson, Lib Dem Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner candidate, when he visited Slough on 23rd April.

John Howson went on to say, "Having travelled to Slough from my home in Oxford, where Thames Valley Police HQ is located, I was pleased to walk down High Street from the station to Upton. I was there to support the 'Safer Slough' campaign of excellent local Lib Dem candidates Sukh Dhillon for Upton and Jo Hanney for Langley Kedermister.

I know they have been highlighting the importance of a collaborative multi-agency approach that has successfully worked to reduce knife crime elsewhere. This is being promoted by the Lib Dems nationally and I support the work being undertaken in Banbury by Thames Valley police and want to see that approach brought to Slough but backed by deterrent sentences for those that refuse to participate and go on to commit a crime using a knife."

John added: "I'm delighted to be visiting Slough on the day the Slough Observer (Observer, 23 April) carried my message to the electors of Slough that 'We deserve safer, more secure streets and better value for money. Local policing and swift justice are vital.'"

John Howson also said, "I'm particularly pleased to have the opportunity to consult local residents in Slough about policing matters on the very day that I had promised readers of the Slough Observer, 'I will consult about local policing priorities. The police must work for everyone in the community.'"

Sukh Dhillon said, "Local residents in my Upton Ward really appreciated John Howson coming to talk to them about the important policing issues facing the local community, including traffic issues and a worrying recent incident in the Upton Triangle area in which someone's window was shot at."