Orpington Conservatives fail to show for crime and police meetings - you couldn't pick them out in an identity parade

10.19.35pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 24th Nov 2005

Crime Prevention is a serious issue in Orpington - it's a shame the Conservatives don't realise it.

Orpington Conservative councillors have failed to turn up for two important meetings discussing crime and policing in the area.

None of the town's 10 Conservative councillors turned up for the "Safer Orpington Seminar" aimed at local businesses held on 9th November.

Then on 23rd November there was another no show by the town's Conservatives at the Police Community Consultative meeting at Kemnal Technology College.

There was a strong turnout of Liberal Democrat councillors from Orpington and the Crays at both meetings.

Liberal Democrat Community Safety Spokesperson Cllr Brenda Thompson, who attended both meetings, said: "The Conservatives claim to rank crime and the prevention of crime high on their agenda, but they can't even be bothered to turn up to these important events.

"With increasing concern over crime and anti social behaviour in the area it is a shame that people attending these meetings couldn't pick out a Tory councillor in an identity parade".