David Ruffley

VIOLENT crime costs every household more than £1,100 a year, a new study shows.

The bill for personal security, policing and NHS treatment for victims has doubled in a decade.

Muggings, robberies and assaults cost taxpayers in England and Wales £25.6billion in the last year, up from £17billion in 1998-99.

Shadow Police Reform Minister David Ruffley said: "Labour's failure to tackle rising crime is costing us all dear." Home Secretary Alan Johnson called the figures "recklessly misleading".

VIOLENT crime is costing £1,121 a year for every household in the country, according to a report to be published today.

The Tory research claims the number of violent offences has broken through two million thanks to the dismal failure of Labour's law and order policies.

Costs have risen by £8.5billion a year - or more than 50 per cent - since Labour came to power, because of hikes in security expenditure, insurance premiums, and increased burden on the NHS and victims' support services, the report says.

VIOLENT CRIME is costing every household more than pounds 1,000 a year as the Conservatives warn the true level of offences is now more than two million.

Killings, assaults and other attacks have increased sharply since 1998 and are estimated to be twice the level of official statistics.

It means the total cost to the country, in everything from insurance and loss of earnings to policing and court cases, hit pounds 25.6 billion last year, according to a study by the Tories.

David Ruffley MP has this week launched an online survey on the state of roads in his constituency.

Both Mid Suffolk District Council and St Edmundsbury Borough Council are currently progressing their Local Development Frameworks, which will eventually determine where new houses in the area will be built. David is keen that before the consultation process ends, he has a full picture of the state of traffic infrastructure in the area.

David said:

David Ruffley MP has urged local people to participate in the consultation on St Edmundsbury's Core Strategy document.

The Core Strategy, which forms part of the Local Development Framework, will shape the face of St Edmundsbury until 2031. The document sets out policies relating to housing and infrastructure needs in the borough. Most importantly, it identifies the key directions of growth around Bury St Edmunds.

David said:

David Ruffley MP has welcomed the announcements by First and Mulleys to provide additional bus services for his Howard estate constituents.

David fully supported the campaign by the Howard Estate Over 60s Club, led by Ernie Broom, to persuade First to extend their 80 bus route from the council offices in Western Way to the Howard estate.

David lobbied First Eastern Counties Managing Director, Alan Pilbeam, prior to the meeting between First, St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Suffolk County Council on 12 August.

David Ruffley MP has slammed the Government over their plans to increase taxes on family homes by way of a 'patio tax'. New evidence has emerged that the Government is preparing for a council tax revaluation across England. The Government's aim is to increase council tax bills in order to fill the deep black hole in Britain's ruined public finances.

• Clipboard inspectors recording your house, scenic views and nice features:

David Ruffley MP has pledged his support for the proposal to convert the old Stowmarket Corn Exchange in Church Walk into a Creativity Centre.

The proposed new centre will be a community facility, primarily aimed at young people, which will provide aspiring young artists- musicians, actors, painters, dancers- with a place to go to rehearse, create, perform and learn. It will also be available for hire for other community, corporate and private functions.

The Highways Agency has today announced that they will contribute £5,000 towards resolving the flooding at Beyton.

This announcement follows David Ruffley's request at the meeting he called and chaired on 24 July that the councils and agencies involved in this issue should go away and consider what financial contribution they can make to resolve the longstanding problem of flooding at Thurston Road, Beyton.

David Ruffley MP, Patron of the West Suffolk Branch of the Alzheimer's Society, will be the guest speaker at their Annual Open Meeting at 6.30pm on Friday, 11 September. The meeting will be held at Glastonbury Court Residential Home, Glastonbury Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2EX.

The West Suffolk Alzheimer's Society Branch provides local outreach services including one to one visits, information and support group activities. They support all people affected by dementia- not only people with dementia, but also their families and carers.