DAVID RUFFLEY MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR POLICE REFORM: '20% FALL IN PROSECUTIONS OF 10-17 YEAR OLDS FOR BEING DRUNK AND DISORDERLY PROVES WE NEED MORE POLICE ON THE STREETS.'

David Ruffley MP, Shadow Minister for Police Reform has unearthed shocking new Government statistics, which show why we need more police on our streets.

Mr Ruffley said: 'These latest Home Office statistics I have uncovered show that in the last ten years, the number of 10 to 17 year olds proceeded against in magistrates' courts for being drunk and disorderly has plummeted by 20% in England and Wales - from 2,028 in 1997 to 1,685 in 2006.

Labour's basic failure to ensure the law is enforced sends totally the wrong message about binge drinking and puts the public at risk from the spiralling violence it generates.

So we need more court prosecutions and to do this we need more police on our streets to make arrests.

The Parliamentary answer I received showed that:

• In the Metropolitan police force area, the numbers of proceedings in magistrates' courts has fallen by 35%, from 52 in 1997 to 34 in 2006.

• In Merseyside, the numbers of proceedings in magistrates' courts has fallen by 73%, from 287 in 1997 to 77 in 2006.

• In Cleveland the numbers of proceedings in magistrates' courts has fallen by 79%, from 84 in 1997 to 18 in 2006.

• In Essex the numbers of proceedings in magistrates' courts has fallen by 73%, from 42 in 1997 to 11 in 2006.

Young people who are drunk and disorderly make life unbearable for ordinary citizens. They should face up to their crimes in a court of law not just get a slap on the wrist. But this can only happen if we put more police on the streets to arrest them.