I have visited New York twice in the past five years. I walked about at night to see the sights, dined with relations who live there and walked back to my hotel almost a mile away without feeling in any way nervous or threatened. Why? After all New York was the place to expect to be assaulted or worse during the 1970s and '80s. The answer is simple. That city is now policed effectively; the fact is obvious, police officers are out on the beat in considerable numbers. They keep a high profile and deal swiftly with law-breakers. Why can we not have a similar approach here? It is not rocket science. Ok it is, no doubt, expensive in terms of police pay but, probably far cheaper in terms of insurance claims and hospital bills. Above all it returns the streets to those who are the basis of our society, the decent, law-abiding majority. As for the human rights of the criminals, they forfeited most of these when they chose to depart from the normal standards of decent behaviour and offend.

Tom Healy, Plymouth, UK

That a visitor/ tourist can walk the sterile streets of Singapore (which is, in some ways, a totalitarian state, albeit a benign one) in the dark in relative safety without the fear of being accosted, mugged or rape is attributable to the success of LK Yew in having created, among his many other admirable accomplishments, a society based on the strict observance of the rule of law. Its combination of patriarchic rule, the use of the English language as the passport to knowledge, meritocracy as the guiding principle, plus a constant reminding of the citizens of its conservative Confucian heritage, and not least, a little control freakery have brought this island republic to its present renown. But then some S'poreans, no sooner they cross the border into neighbouring Malaysia are known to regress to a solipsistic and less salutary pattern of behaviour, of which 'kiasu' or 'fear of losing' in the Hokkien dialect is one; the others being littering, aggressive driving and one-upmanship.

SD Goh, PJ, Malaysia

Henry Percy - You raise an interesting (and disquieting) question : just why is the government (any UK government) so keen to disarm the public ? It is always asserted that this is to promote public safety - but in the entire 20th century fewer than 150 (one hundred and fifty) persons have been killed illegally by privately-owned and properly licensed firearms. Every death is a personal tragedy but an average of 1-2 a year hardly constitutes a major problem deserving of draconian legislation.
So there must be some other motive behind the drive to disarm the citizenry. Is it so shameful (fear and distrust of the people?)
that it cannot be publicly acknowledged ?

J R Hinton, Skipton, Yorkshire UK

Until we actually get together and march the streets, nothing will be done. Gordon and his cronies will just bin the campaigns and letters but if we the people take to the streets and march we just might convince this government that we demand action. Whilst we all sign petitions and ring phone ins - nothing will change and more innocent lives will be lost. We all need to get off our butts and demand action NOW!!!

B. Hill, Nottingham, U.K

I think we can put this issue in perspective by considering the point as to why adults of good behaviour are not allowed to carry Mace by law or even to have it as a defence in their own homes. Given the fact that the law cannot possibly guarantee a person s safety at all times, and especially at the present time, this prohibition has an aspect which is potentially discreditable of authority. Perhaps you would like to explain why this is so. One reason why crime figures were low 100 years ago is because people carried personal weapons.

Henry Percy, London, UK

When I was a teenager the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police told people “keep off the streets and you won’t have any trouble”. He was directing his advice to criminals, and the “trouble” was the police. Now it seems the Home Secretary is giving that advice to the law abiding “hard working families” she is supposed to protect. What do we gain if we save our souls from terrorism and lose the streets ?

Brendan Archer, Frome, Somerset

That anyone can walk the sterile streets of Singapore (which is in some ways, a quasi totalitarian state, albeit a benign one) in the dark in relative safety, is attributable to the success of LK Yew in having created, among his many other admirable accomplishments, a society based on the strict observance of the rule of law. Its combination of zero tolerance of anti-social behaviour and corruption, patriarchic rule, meritocracy as a guiding principle, the use of the English language as the passport to knowledge, plus the constant reminding of the Confucian heritage and not least, a little control freakery have brought this island republic its present renown. But then, some Singaporeans no sooner they cross the border into neighbouring Malaysia are known to regress to a solipsistic and less salutary pattern of behaviour of which 'kiasu' or 'fear of losing' in the Hokkien dialect is one; the others being littering, striking an attitude, aggressive driving and one-upmanship.

SD Goh, PJ, Malaysia

Spot on. My mother remains convinced that venturing further than the recycling bin after dark will immediately result in her being set upon by feral youths. For her, the night will never be safe unless there are plenty of people around, and that won't happen while our Home Secretary is content to guarantee her own safety and instil fear in everyone else.

Eddie, London,

Reclaim the streets now. How about I start after the next general election when Nu Labour is old news.

Cromwell, Leeds, England

The very sensible Immigrant Representation Party has some excellent views on crime control. I personally recommend you read them.

john problem, winchester, uk

Well said, Libby!
20 years ago my friends in Kent used to get worried about me walking home at 10.30pm down a well-lit road, a 10 minute walk at the most, and I was furious. I pointed out that since I didn't have a car I had no choice but to walk, but if I allowed myself to depend on their lifts home I would end up being trapped in my own home. When I moved to London I was even more horrified to find that an Advent Sunday carol service was not expected to be well attended "because older people won't come out after dark". Can you imagine being trapped in your home between 8am and 4pm in winter? And why don't people like walking? Because the streets are empty - everyone is driving in their cars! Let's think of our carbon footprint, and let's reclaim the streets!

Heather Constance, Fareham, Hampshire,

Reclaim the night?
Garry Newlove tried that

Dominic, Manchester, UK

Never mind more policing, hefty deterrents are needed. Perpetrators need to be punished, and the victims looked after - not the other way round. Prisons are not meant to be 5 star hotels with gyms, Internet access, and full use of mobile phones etc., if prisons and sentences were realistic to safeguard the innocent and were horrible institutions to be in, then perhaps villains would think twice before committing a crime. Britain needs to stop rewarding crime.

Disgruntled, Sheffield,

Politicians don’t live in the real world, and what is worse they believe their own idyllic rhetoric. I suppose the home sec, will soon be seen going into a rough area, spun in such a way to show she’s aware of these problems.
How is it after many new laws have been introduced to meet the demands of the police yet they still don’t protect us and we are more afraid than ever? The standard response from the police is we don’t have the resources’ to attend, yet there are plenty of them on overtime at football matchers (300 last Sat in Sheffield). There is no political will to resolve the hooligan issues, perhaps the authorities prefer the public to be scared and turn to them for protection! Why not bring together a large number of police and go thorough areas a month or so at a time to eradicate the bad element within our society. This is how the police were utilised for controlling the miners strike for 12 months. Or is it the police prefer to stay indoors filling in forms, unless overtime is involved?

Michael, Sheffield,

This is a government that has never had the interests, or the security, of its people at heart. London has certainly become a more dangerous, crime-ridden city in the last ten years, and the government merely uses statistics in an attempt to obfuscate this fact.

S G, London,

This is a government that has never had the interests, or the security, of its people at heart. London has certainly become a more dangerous, crime-ridden city in the last ten years, and the government merely uses statistics in an attempt to obfuscate this fact.

S G, London, UK

In the old days the police would just crack down; now they are hampered by political correctness stopping them tackling pockets of crime for fear of claims of racism and other what have become terrifying accusations.

It has reached the stage that this political correctness shielding criminals has more power than the police dealing with the criminals

David Cartright, Birmingham,

To make the streets safe we need Matthew Parris patrolling them on a bicycle.

alex, prenton,

I think this week Libby is making a mountain out of a molehill. She admits the question was "sprung" on Jacqui Smith but expects her to have come up straight away with a perfectly phrased answer. It seems to me Ms Smith was just giving an instinctive, truthful reaction - and journalists often berate politicians for not telling the truth.

Just because Ms Smith personally doesn't feel comfortable walking around at night, it doesn't mean that in her official capacity she won't seek policies to make the streets safer - if indeed there are any.

Barry, Wallington, UK

Unfortunately the next we'll hear from the Home Office is that street crime figures have gone up because people will insist on walking around at night, and that it's our own fault, because had we followed Jacqui Smith's advice we wouldn't have been there in the first place.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

Hear Hear, good article. The Rt Hon Minister is not just incompetent but darn right arrogant.
This minister should be the one WHO walks the streets and be assured that the police forces she is ultimately responisble for do their duties.
We should all feel safe we can go from A to B and arrive at B not in via the Hospital or a body bag.
When I first came to the UK 37 years ago, I regularly walked late at night or evening around Soho and the East end and I felt as safe as walkign around my house.

loris, Mian, Italy

Over reliance on the car has contributed to this problem. The more people that use the streets, the safer one feels.
In the first instance designated walk ways or "promenades" should be created on mian arterial routes (and on main routes to and from schools). Seperate pedestrians (and cyllists) form the traffic. This would encourage people to walk in an open secure environment. OK fit 24/7CCTV allong these routes if necessary. Once the numbers of people walking increase the chances of being a lone "target" for crime decrease.

Cias, Plymouth, Devon

Chris Palmer, Southampton.

You are wrong - it was never thus. You may be too young to remember when it was perfectly safe to walk in a town centre at anytime of day or night.

I was a copper in Sheffield city centre, on foot in all weathers and on my own. I policed my beat in an open and obvious way. I approached those who looked as if they may cause trouble, spoke to them if necessary and kept an eye on them until they went on their way.

People walking home or to the bus station etc saw me and knew I was watching. They felt safe to be under observation and if our paths crossed we would exchange a few words. I got to know the regulars - it was my patch.

Do you see a copper on foot, at night now? Are they not paired-up in cars, inaccessible, unapproachable?

Exchange a few words? How at 30mph.

Don't believe the excuses of red-tape and hands tied. The laws of the land have changed little. The police powers are virtually the same and perfectly adequate for the job.

R Bingham, Lauzun, France

At least she told the truth, even though she wavered from the official Party line because she was caught off her guard.
All politicians live in a rarified world where their own security is the responsibilty of others.
When they get to be ministers their transport needs are catered for as well, that's why the government has no idea what public transport is like.
In London recently I witnessed all the traffic come to a halt in Westminster (aided by numerous police officers) as a high ranking member of HMG was whisked through the rush hour.
It won't be long before the outside lane on all roads are reserved for politicians as in the old USSR.

GJB, Slough, Berkshire

Citizens need to feel safe any time of the day. the government needs to ensure this safety. The only way to "reclaim" the streets is if the government actually developed a backbone and implemented harsher sentences, including naming and shaming of parents of juveniles committing crime.

Hamad Lone, London, England

We can sort these modern day hyena packs out, we just have to alter the system radically, stop the chatting and get round to some action, and keep every do gooder under lock and key too before we do it!

Well said anyway Libby.
The trouble with politicians is that they are so cushioned now, that all sense of reality has gone out the window. They have lost touch with the people they are meant to be serving.

My sister and I were invited to dinner when we were in london, and we happily caught the tube from where we were staying, and walked for what seemed like miles to Chelsea, and did the return trip at 23.30, admittedly we are mature women, but it was probably a better situation than Jo'burg at any time of the day!!

These feral people are like hyenas, you just need a larger pecking order to sort them out-- then they will really howl and back off!!! We are all potential victims, the sooner these people are sorted, the better for all of us.

Mrs Maggie Snook, wareham, Dorset uk

It seems that every time these new ministers appointed by Brown open their mouths they show unsuited they are for the responsibilites of their offce.

Hugh Putt, Brackley, UK

Sirs, We have many supplements printed and sold with our newspapers. How about 'The Crime Times' supplement whereby all these ghastly stories abour NuLabour's nutters can be grouped together in one paper and not clutter up our Daily Papers. D Smith, Cannes

David Smith, Cannes, France

The utter bloody impossibility of this article's prescriptive cure in this society at this time makes me want to cry with impotent rage.

Chris, London,

The police would love to make the streets safer if this government would take off the shakels of red tape and political correctness. New legislation has hamstung the police so don't blame them.

Trevor, Bristol

T.Gardiner, Bristol,

I see Libby Purves is another one who mentions the government "legitimising" 24 hour drinking as though us being able to have a drink after 11pm is the cause of every ill in the country (although we don't have 24 hour drinking, pubs are opened for less time than anywhere else in Europe. How ironic then that she mentions being safe in Hamburg, a city where the standard bar closing time is 4am and where bars have no closing hours on a weekend, and did have 40 years ago when we were all expected to go home at 10,30pm like little children. how strange that "24 hour drinking" makes it unsafe to go out here, yet other countries where bars are open far longer, Germany, Holland, spain etc. are far safer to walk around late at night. Maybe this is because a good cross-section of people are out enjoying themselves whilst here most pubs are still shut by midnight leaving the streets to those up to no good.

Dave Proctor, Leeds,

What the Home secretary said is shocking, the fact she thinks it’s quite normal not to feel safe or not to dare go out at night, it just shows how out of touch she's become from reality and the public.

The streets aren’t exactly safe at night but that is partly because the governments "order through chaos" is working and the general law abiding citizens dare not go out after dark, stand up for your community, if enough citizens dared walk the streets then criminals would find it much harder to operate.

It's insane to say, do a "surge" like bush in Iraq, where not living in a war zone, were living in communities that are and have been broken down through lack of respect:- bad parenting, no "Neighborhood watch “members, no youth club, no afterschool activities.

Government failing in: respect to citizens, personal liberties, securing our boarders, supporting marriage enough, supporting communities. They should not police though force.

The police need to lead by example.

Andy, Hartlepool, England, UK,

She needs to get out more. Why would people not go out? It can be a great time in the 24-hour cycle.

It should be safe, Jacqui -IT'S YOUR JOB!

Her crass comment will eventually get translated as "anyone out on their own is asking for it"

Funny how some cultures would consider it a slur on their national character. In Sweden, it is evident that a woman out on their own at any time, town or country, is not actually asking for it, and I know many Swedes who take pride in this. It's just a matter of discipline, respect, and failing that, having a decent police force that does more than guard washed-up wood on beaches and squanders their budgets on high-tech doodads and stab-vests.

Jacqui, look around you, get out on your own, and see the mess you've made. Silly girl!

Stuart, Worthing, UK

I am sick and tired of these politicians talking for the sake of saying something which (in their opinion) makes them appear hip. Unfortunately, Blair, too preoccupied with self image to care about the country, set the scene with his spin and egocentric views. I just long for the day when we have significant politicians with some common sense and substance. Jacqui Smith unfortunately has neither. She is just one of the many inexperienced "followers" in Labour who really are unable to carry such weighty responsibilities. The comments she made merely illustrate her lack of experience and insight. Scary, knowing that she is responsible for our safety on the streets and in our homes. She needs to take a reality check and question if she really is up to such an important job before its too late.

Ann, Birmingham, England

It's hard to see how ordinary citizens could reclaim the streets without being more heavily armed than the ill-educated punks who rule our cities after dark.

I'm a big Batman fan, but I think a city centre filled with tooled-up vigilantes might be a step too far.

What we need is (a) A return to the idea of social responsibility being drummed into kids at school & less time wasted on telling them their 'rights'

(b) Coppers that do stuff, not just fill in forms and go through CCTV tapes after the event to find out who died

Mikey, Bromley, Great Britain

What an excellent article! I used to live in Ms.Smith's constituency until 2002 - Redditch, and my parents/family still do. Even back then you wouldn't go around certain areas in the town at night. From what I hear, it's worse than ever. Perhaps Ms.Smith would like to venture out in to Redditch town centre on a Friday/Saturday night to get a real understanding of her own constituents.

I now live in a village in Northamptonshire, right on the village green -typical middle England. We have groups of youths setting fire to wheelie bins almost setting fire to a church next to our house. police? not a chance.

Last week we had dog mess thrown at our windows, and my car vandalised with the word "gay" scratched on the roof. police? not a chance, it took several calls to just register the incident. My partner and i were told the comunity offer would call - hasn't happened yet.

To even walk to the village shop you run the risk of abuse. Police claim no resources for the village.

Richard Bradley, Northamptonshire, UK

If the police cannot or will not do the job for which we pay them (whether or not it is the government's fault), people still have every right to protect themselves. This may lead - very unfortunately - to citizens setting up vigilante groups to keep the streets safe. It will indicate that law & order have broken down, and the government & police have no interest in restoring them.

Dave, Wrexham,

An open admission of her (and her party's) failure to do their jobs, and keep the innocent safe. What is she being paid for?

I propose a vote of no confidence in the Home Secretary, and call on her to resign.

W Smith, Oldham,

Until we get tough with those breaking the Law we will continue to have individuals who do not respect it. Minimum sentences of 10 years for carrying a knife, 20 years for carrying a gun and 10 years for physical assault, will send the right message to those thinking of committing crime. Most of us are uneasy walking out at night regardless of whether it be male or female 25 or 50.

Bob Wilson, Kettering, England

Anyone remember Tony Blair promising to be tough on crime and the causes of crime in 1997? It disappeared like Prescott's "integrated transport policy" once the election had been won. Don't blame Labour, they have been re-elected twice since then by an apathetic public.
The real causes can be traced back fifty years to the rise of "progressive" thinking that placed the criminal ahead of the victim. The judiciary, prosecution service, police have all been politicised since then to ensure that politically correct progressive thinking wins out. That our jails are full to overflowing is testament to the failure of this approach. Meanwhile our Home Secretary admits to be unwilling to walk alone in London while simultaneously releasing criminals from jail before completion of their sentences, and failing to control immigration of gangs which are a root cause of much crime.
This madness will only cease when the public stop decide to stop it. Don't hold your breath in the meantime.

TG, Newark,

Good article Libby, apart from the statement "Government exists to protect its citizens' liberties". I suggets you look up the word "govern" in the dictionary. It means "control".

Although the first phrase of your para. 6 is correct, you got the rest of that sentence wrong. The government's protection of rights is all about their right to be re-elected and keep living off our wallets instead of their own.

KR, Stockport,

Stop filing criminal charges against those who defend themselves from thugs, and increase police presence in high crime areas. Only then will there be fewer attacks.

someguy, London,

When are we going to hear from ACPO what has to be done for the police to reclaim the control of the streets they once had?

Geoff Bamsey, Ashburton, England

Definitely - by giving up on any area we are giving up on every area. But at the same time, I fail to see how your walking on the streets at night achieves anything. Surely the answer is better policing instead...

James, Adelaide, Australia

I suppose it helps if you don't look like a victim. Either you have nothing of value, or you might well be able to fight back just a tad too hard.

I suspect there are areas of all our big cities, and even the towns, where it's not wise to walk alone at night. But it was ever thus.

You need to be alert to your surroundings, and ideally have to hand a ready means for self-defence. We're not allowed handguns or knives. So I suppose we have to rely on piercingly loud 'rape alarms' or even pepper sprays. The latter may not be legal, but I warrant it's easier to explain why you use one on a thug than it'd be for him to explain why he was trying to rob or assault you.

That being said, I've walked about Central London with no worries, yet have been the subject of a mugging attempt not 5 miles from my front door in a local city centre.

Chris Palmer, Southampton, England

The letter from Margaret Eccles is hilarious. Of course she will feel at little risk walking round the arty-farty areas (when was the last murder by a group of crazed opera-goers), but she would be well advised not to venture into the areas where real people live - have to live.

Otherwise, the article by Libby Purves is short on solutions. What I suggest, in the most troubled areas, is a 'surge' in the Bush/Iraq mode; it worked there. Flood the streets with police (that's what they're for), and have them stay there until people can walk without fear again.

Andrew May, Wimbledon, UK

What colour is the sky in her world then???

Lilith Barrett, London, UK

But Libby, it's not just Singapore, it's Hong Kong, Tpkyo, Taipei. They are all perfectlt safe after midnight. I take the tram back to my flat in Hong Kong after midnight and when I tripped over after a few drinks last year the locals came to my assistance ,and asked if I was alright and needed any assistance. I didn't.

And all of this applies equally, if not nore so, to females.

Indeed, even the so-called cities of concern such as Manila and Bangkok are far safer than London or a provincial English town after 10 pm. You simply observe a few sensible rules and don't worry.

oldasiahand, Guildford, UK

Whilst that sounds all well and good, how about taking it to the next level and writing about whole areas of the UK that now "belong" solely to Muslim gangs? I'm an Australian, and the last time I was in Britain discovered, to my horror, that there are now "no-go" areas in many parts of that once free country.
Reclaim the night, and the day, by all means, but let's not be squeamish about telling the complete story.

David Fletcher, Perth, Western Australia

Having travelled a bit and walked the streets of Paris, Amsterdam, London, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto (Japanese cities are all very safe) and my own home town of Melbourne Australia, it is every citizens right of freedom to walk where he or she likes free of fear and possible criminal attack. Sadly there will always be a criminal element hell bent on harming others, i for one would'nt mind seeing more Police on street corners. The politicians of both the UK and Australia need to leave their closseted existence and walk with their voters and experience the night life themselves.

Martin Close, Melbourne, Australia

I travel to London pretty frequently from Gloucestershire for opera & theatre visits - and never feel a moment's unease walking back to Victoria coach station to catch the last coach at half past eleven. If time permits I walk back from Covent Garden, the ENO, the South Bank, the Royal Albert Hall after my Proms visits, even the Barbican, in the dark, late at night.

If I'm pushed for time I travel on the tube -again not feeling any misgivings. I might add that I'm well into pensionable age, not a spring chicken. Walking in London is half the pleasure of my visits. I'm not sure what this says about either me or the Home Secretary..........

Margaret Eccles, Cheltenham, Glos.

Wow - she answered with OUT spin, and we don't like the answer. We complain about spin, but when we get an honest answer (although not a good answer) we slay the messenger. I don't like her answer at all - but at least it wasn't a load of rubbish answer like lots of Ministers have given in the past, and will give in the future.

Ned Voelcker, San Francisco / London, California / Westminster

As long as people hide in their homes after nine, criminals will continue to rule the streets. If you are out at night on your own, male or female there are certain rules. Don't look like a victim. Hold your head up high, walk tall and be aware of what is going on around you. In other words use your common sense. Stay safe but stay free.

Carolyn, London, UK

If the police started doing police work, that would help. Throwing all PC and ' progressive ' idea's' out of the window would also help. Of course this will not happen, so grab a stick when you are out. I expect sticks will become illegal, someone might hit a criminal with one. !!

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Tx

Absolutely, Libby. When will the Government, the Courts and the Police wake up to reality? When will they all realise that it is no more than their duty, and their prime duty at that, to protect the innocent from the guilty. In a civilised country, no-one should be afraid to go into any public place at any time, day or night. We have thus become catastrophically uncivilised, and it is time to take urgent steps. Time to abandon the quasi-liberal era, and to give parents, teachers, police and courts the right and the duty to use whatever means are necessary to crush this increasing wave of sadistic violence. Hard labour? Village stocks? Water cannon? All should be useful (and used) tools in the armoury against those who are destroying the country.

Alasdair Wyllie, Montauban, France

"Government exists to protect its citizens' liberties". I'm old-fashioned enough to agree. But the government is run these days only to provide careers for politicians. Liberty, defence, education, healthcare, transport. All of them can be subjected to the same sort of analysis as this here.

There is a (moderately) famous question in banking (the title of a book) - "Where are the customers' yachts?" So where are the taxpayers' spin doctors, pensions, and self-awarded over-inflation pay rises on someone else's tab ?

Why would anyone want to walk at night ? Because they have a different view of what the Home Secretary is paid to be there for, than the Home Secretary has herself.

P Orphyry, Skipton,