CRIME is a major concern for people in the Colne and Holme Valleys according to a survey.
Jason McCartney, the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Colne Valley, sent questionnaires to 40,000 households about a range of issues.
Among the questions was: “Have you been a victim of crime in the last year?”
Of the 2,059 who answered the question, 392 said they had.
Mr McCartney said: “In some ways I’m shocked that as many as one in five say they’ve been a victim of crime, but in other ways I’m not.
“In the ‘local issues’ question, 32% ranked crime and anti-social behaviour as a major worry.”
More than 4,000 people responded to the survey, including residents of Lindley and Crosland Moor. Mr McCartney said he had received many more e-mails and telephone calls.
After crime and anti-social behaviour, NHS cuts was the next most important issue.
He said: “The NHS is a big concern, with consultant-led maternity services transferring to Calderdale and fears over the future of the A and E department.
“I was with my mum in the HRI A and E department just before Christmas after she suffered a fall and it’s crucial that it stays.”
According to the survey, the big economic issues for people were taxes and pensions.
Mr McCartney said: “Time and time again I speak to people who are worried about their pensions and how much tax they pay.
“Conservative plans to change inheritance tax and stamp duty have been well received, but we need to look after pensioners. As a Dad, I know what a nightmare child tax credits can be.”
The survey also asked about people’s environmental concerns.
Nearly a third said their main bugbear was litter and vandalism.
Mr McCartney said: “I’m not surprised by this as dog-fouling is a big bone of contention.
“In terms of fighting global climate change we need more carrot and less stick. We can’t just keep raising taxes on fuel, we need to provide alternatives and give people a real choice.”
