MORE action is needed to tackle the growth in violent crime, says Bury South Conservative candidate Alex Williams.

"It's a disgrace that 19 police officers have been recently taken off the streets of Bury," he said. "It is clear to me that we should give our local police adequate resources, cut the amount of form-filling that they have to do and let them get on with catching criminals. A Conservative government will do just that and will fund an additional 80 police officers in Bury South."

Mr Williams added: "The message that I hear on the doorstep time and time again is that people want a tougher criminal justice system, and I agree. When criminals are caught they should be punished properly. If appropriate they should be sent to prison, and in any event encouraged to reform their ways. A Conservative government will end Labours early release from prison scheme and will introduce the principle of honesty in sentencing."