During a debate on 23 November 2006, George called for an increase in police numbers to tackle gang-related disorder and violence, saying:
"The background for my concerns is that some areas in my constituency are, in effect, in the control of gangsters. I do not claim that we are unique in that; it is true of many areas of the country. Gangsters determine who can live where, what time people are allowed to walk the streets and what happens in shops...
"Although I welcome the increase in police numbers since 1997, we have to face the fact that we need to consider dramatic increases in their numbers if we are to get to grips with the problems...
"Courts should not decide how they sentence in the light of how many prison places are available. If the person found guilty as charged has committed an offence that is serious enough for a custodial sentence, the courts should sentence them, and then the problem is one for the Home Office and the Prison Service to address...
"We know that prisons work in at least one respect: they take the villains off the street for as long as they are in prison."
To read the full debate in Hansard, click here.
