Missing Suspects Extremely Worrying - Teather

2.25.56pm GMT Thu 5th Apr 2007

Sarah Teather wants more investment in local police

Sarah Teather, Brent's Liberal Democrat MP, has today uncovered figures showing that the police are still searching for over 150 suspected criminals in Brent who failed to appear in court.

In the last two years 1,479 suspected criminals in Brent were bailed to appear in court but failed to attend. According to figures released by the Metropolitan Police, 158 of those were still missing at the end of the year.

20 of the missing persons are suspected of violent offences against the person, while 6 are wanted for sexual offences.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"Crime and the fear of crime is very real in our community. Local people often raise this with me in my constituency surgeries.

"It is extremely worrying that so many people are skipping bail. Some are wanted for very serious offences, and it is shocking that we don't know their whereabouts.

"The police in Brent do an excellent job, but are clearly under resourced. Instead of wasting millions on ID cards, the Labour Government should properly tackle crime by investing in our local police force.

"People have a right to know that they are being kept safe. The government must immediately reassure the public that steps are being taken to find people who have skipped their bail."