How many community support officers have been appointed in Wales.

In February 2005, there were 156 community support officers in Wales, with funding secured to increase their number to 300.

Does my hon. Friend agree that CSOs are doing an excellent job, especially in combating antisocial behaviour and that it would be an absolute disgrace if their number were cut because of Tory public expenditure cuts?

I most certainly do agree. My hon. Friend and I share the borough of Caerphilly, where the first CSOs were pioneered. CSOs are doing a tremendous job, making a difference in the policing of our streets, and making our towns and communities safer. The investment that the Labour Government have committed compares well with the cuts that the Opposition would introduce.

What does the Minister say to the North Wales police officers who have told me that CSOs are just policing on the cheap? CSOs have no power of arrest, many of them work only 9 to 5 and they are used merely because their area is not being supplied with extra police officers. Will the hon. Gentleman match the Conservative commitment to provide 40,000 extra police officers in England and Wales?

I seem to recall that police numbers fell when the Conservatives were in power. Under the Labour Government, Wales has had more than 850 extra officers. If the hon. Gentleman wants to get up in a pulpit and preach a sermon, may I suggest a text for the day? Matthew 7:16—

"By their fruits ye shall know them."

Under the Conservatives, recorded violent crime increased by 166 per cent., the chance of being a victim of violent crime trebled, the chance of being burgled doubled and convictions fell by a third. Under Labour, crime has fallen by 30 per cent., burglary by 42 per cent. and vehicle crime by 30 per cent. I think that, come the general election, people will vote Labour, and we say amen to that.