Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office Ed Miliband MP today launched the Eastern region local election campaign, meeting with local residents in Ipswich - highlighting the stark differences between Labour and Conservatives on the issue of crime.

The Minister, who was joined by local Labour MP Chris Mole, and local police officer Inspector Mark Lewis discussed the key issues of anti-social behaviour and crime, including the success of the newly rolled out neighbourhood policing scheme - a manifesto commitment that has been met by the Labour Government.

Neighbourhood policing seeks to build on the current success story of rapidly increasing police numbers across the Eastern region. Suffolk now has 202 more police officers than in March 2001 (a 17.8% increase) and 137 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

Today, under a Labour Government which is tough on crime, there is less chance of being a victim of crime than at any time during the last two decades. Neighbourhood policing teams are all about working with local people - seeing the heralded return of the local 'bobby on the beat.' The teams, which consist of police officers and PCSOs, listen to local people in every community, providing a contact name, address and phone number where they can always be reached.

Before meeting local residents the Minister visited Cobham Road Recreation Ground, which was previously used as a dumping ground for old cars but under Labour has been transformed once again into an attractive community amenity.

The Minister said:

"When we came into power in 1997 there was no PCSOs. Now they are doing a valuable job in areas like this.

"It is Labour's initiatives which are improving people's quality of life - and we have to make people aware of that in May's elections."

To see a video interview with Ed Miliband, see  http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/eveningstar/news/story.aspx?brand=ESTOnline&category=News&tBrand=ESTOnline&tCategory=News&itemid=IPED31%20Mar%202008%2011%3A21%3A17%3A220

To view the Labour Party's Launch Document for the local elections click here:

(* Photo above left to right: Chris, Ed Miliband MP and Leader of Ipswich Borough Labour Group David Ellesmere)