During 18 years in office the Conservatives pursued a superficially populist policy on crime.

It failed - crime doubled. Violent crime rose year on year and convictions fell. Labour tries to sound tough but remains just as ineffective. Despite repeated promises from both parties the number of police officers fell.

The Liberal Democrats priority is to increase police numbers to prevent crime, to catch criminals when offences do take place, and to increase the number of crimes solved. Within our manifesto there are over 20 policies addressing problems such as vandalism, re-offending and the rights of the victim.

We will:

Fund the police for 6,000 more police officers than the March 2000 levels.

Fund 2,000 new recruits in addition to Labour's plans.

Provide 2000 part-time community officers by creating a new category of retained officers.

Establish a community safety force to co-ordinate on nuisance crimes such as vandalism.

Overhaul the youth justice system.

Give victims, or their families the right to be heard in courts.

Margaret Thatcher remarked "there is no such thing as society."

It was an attitude that weakened communities all over Britain.

Now there is growing dissatisfaction with Labour too. In rural areas, many people feel that Labour does not understand their needs.

Our opponents want to control from the centre of Government.

The Liberal Democrats will allow communities to make decisions for themselves, while providing quality services and protecting the environment.

We will boost rural local services by directing more cash into schools and post offices.

This will be done by reforming the funding formulae to ensure resources are allocated fairly throughout the UK. We have already published an emergency programme to help farmers and businesses suffering form the foot and mouth crisis.

We will reform the CAP redirecting more support to small and family farms, work within Europe to limit bureaucracy in administering CAP payments and protect tenant farmers by funding an early retirement scheme.

Village pubs and local breweries will be protected by extending the 50 per cent rate relief.

This was the entire text received from Mr Ashall.