Roll out 101 - don't roll it up

12.00.00am GMT Thu 6th Dec 2007

The Labour-Plaid Government have refused to keep alive a popular and effective service to tackle low level crime and anti-social behaviour, in the National Assembly today.

During the Welsh Liberal Democrat-led debate in the Assembly today, the party's AMs argued that all of Wales should have access to the successful non-emergency 101 response service. Despite its success, and 90% approval rate among callers, the Labour Home Office have decided to pull out of funding the scheme. And now the Labour/Plaid administration in Cardiff Bay has refused to maintain and extend the service.

Jenny Randerson, AM for Cardiff Central, has seen the positive effect of the scheme in her area.

She said: "Instead of rolling up the 101 pilot schemes, we should be rolling it out. Other pilots are being closed. The South Wales scheme only has sufficient funding until the Spring. Unless the Assembly can find a way to work with other partners to fund the scheme, it will close here too.

"Labour's 2005 manifesto promised a national scheme. Now Labour have turned their backs on it in Westminster. And their Labour colleagues in Cardiff Bay - in cahoots with Plaid Cymru - have done the same."

Peter Black, Welsh Liberal Democrat social justice spokesperson, visited the centre last week to see for himself.

He added: "Labour's U-turn is hugely regrettable. When I visited, I was impressed at the work going on. Not just the 101 service, but alongside it is an intelligence service coordinating the police around Cardiff.

"Everyone is agreed that the 101 Centre is providing an excellent value for money service. I want that kind of service for every citizen in Wales.

"The service has proven itself to the hilt as a vital addition to combating crime in Cardiff. Extending it on all all-Wales basis would be both logical and desirable."