Crime does not stop at the Cliffs of Dover
Editor,
Christopher Gill's letter about European Legal systems was predictably misleading and alarmist. (Letters 30th October.)
On 8th October, the European Parliament voted to adopt a legislative resolution that will enhance police and judicial cooperation and efficiency across the EU. The vote was carried overwhelmingly, and was not just supported by Liberal Democrats.
The resolution does not 'back tyranny', nor does it suggest that Member States harmonise their judicial systems. The resolution simply recognises the need for judicial cooperation to prevent and settle conflicts in proceedings when the same crimes are being investigated by police forces or prosecuting authorities from two (or more) member states.
This resolution also included a section added by Parliament to improve the way the European Arrest Warrant works with a requirement for "fairness, independence and objectivity .... so as to ensure that the human rights of the suspected or accused person are protected."
In the modern world, it is essential that police can pursue criminals across borders. Greater European co-operation in criminal justice allowed the rapid arrest and extradition from Italy of Osman Hussain, one of the London tube bombers.
In Operation Koala, police officers arrested 93 people involved in paedophilia in Britain and across Europe.
Liberal Democrats support such cooperation. Terrorists and paedophiles can cross borders and we need to help our police officers to catch them when they do. We also need to improve co-operation between judicial systems. It is a sad state of affairs when both Christopher Gill and the Conservative party oppose such sensible cooperation to cut international crime.
Yours,
Dr Charles West
Parliamentary Candidate: Shrewsbury and Atcham Liberal Democrats
3 Bellstone, Shrewsbury SY1 1HU
tel:   07775 800744