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Boris Johnson, the new mayor of London, made fighting crime his top priority as he officially took over his new role.
“It is the job of me as Mayor to lead the fightback against it and that is what I want to do and I hope you will all join me in doing it,” he said after signing the declaration of acceptance as mayor.
Johnson, who triumphed over Ken Livingstone by six points in Thursday’s poll, said the “tragically self-destructive” behaviour of some of the city’s children was its number one issue.
He also pledged to make good on campaign promises to build affordable homes, protect gardens against development, improve bus services and crack down on minor crime on public transport.
The formal signing ceremony at City Hall came just hours after a 15-year-old boy was found stabbed to death in a stairwell in south London, the latest incident in a wave of knife-crime among young people in the capital.
Johnson said the boy’s death was tragic. “I think this problem of kids growing up without boundaries and getting lost in tragic and self-destructive choices is the number one issue we face in this city.”
Without giving full details of his intentions, Johnson said he would “reform and improve” the congestion charge on drivers entering central London, including making it possible for motorists to pay their charge on account at the end of the month.
He said he would hold discussions shortly on how to clamp down on disorder on buses and trains, which he said was the policy that most clearly resonated with the public during his election campaign.
“We are going to double the size of the safer transport teams to get people the sense of safety and security on the buses that they deserve,” he said.
“I think there is a vital necessity to drive out so-called minor crime and disorder as a way of driving out more serious crime.” Johnson was attacked during the mayoral campaign as a divisive figure who would be unable to represent London’s large ethnic minority population.
But he insisted that he wants to be a unifying figure, bringing representatives of all the city’s diverse communities into his administration. “I want, insofar as it is possible, to work with everybody from across all communities in London.
“It is vital for a Mayor of London to bring people together and to unite London and to serve every community in London impartially and to make sure we have in my administration representatives of all communities, which is what we will have.” The election of London’s first Conservative Mayor is expected to lead to a turnover of senior advisers at City Hall, and Johnson said he would name some of his key aides over the next few days.
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Rehmen - how are Islamic social systems going to prevent so-called 'honour' killings, forced marriages and the principle that in the eyes of the law all are treated equally. Absolutely nothing because Islamic systems support these barbaric practices. Go live in Saudi Arabia if that's what you want.
Donna Walker, Effingham, England
Well the tories created the crime problem, new labour
helped it along, what's boris gonna do? gas them?
They've destroyed everything, through their greed.
And the population get the government they deserve.
Reg, sevenoaks,
Oh don't talk wet rehman from Ilford, Islamic social systems and law are the only way forward? Like those peaceful Islamic Middle-Eastern countries that practice it?
The way forward is more discipline. More police are a part of that, but it also needs to come from parents being held accountable.
John, London,
Is Rehman talking about the Islamic Community in Britain?
Richard K, Nottingham,
Rehman
You are living in the UK where we do not employ the punishments
and barbaric practices practiced in the Islamic states you so clearly admire.
Why not live in those societies if you feel so comfortable ?
jd, london,
The figures on crime when related to those who have no beliefs who commit 44% of crimes. After decades of failiure the multicultural secular argument is failed and threadbare. Children with no beliefs, boundaries & limitations have no reason to avoid crime. The 10, u shalt not steal or kill work
Jas, Alders, UK
the labour socialists and their welfare state and the embarrassingly lenient sentencing for crime is the root of most of the UK's problems. a group of youths rob someone at knifepoint. it should ten years minimum and they should lose their council housing privileges. one strike your out!
Alex, London, England
Rehman get real. If you want an 'islamic social system' then go and live in an Islamic state. It is ridiculous calls like these that are partly to blame for the resentment to multiculturism in this country.
Well done Boris.
Ed, Newcastle
Ed, Newcastle,
Rehman get real. If you want an 'islamic social system' then go and live in an Islamic state. It is ridiculous calls like these that are partly to blame for the resentment to multiculturism in this country.
<br/>
<br/>Well done Boris.
<br/>
Ed, Newcastle,
Here's the South Korea Religious&Social Ethics Inst. data(2003-2005) from the Supreme Proscts'Office of criminals' relgs.affiliations: Buddhists,Protestants,Catholics committed 16%,10%,2.2% respectively, of crimes there. (Other religions:3.5). Criminals with NO religion committed 44% of the crimes!
SD Goh, PJ, Malaysia
To fight London's crime Boris needs to reverse the "multi-cultural" hogwash of the previous administration. Uncontrolled immigration and the attraction of London as a centre for all sorts of lunies and radicals who are given asylum, homes and social security ahead of true Londoners must stop.
graham casey, Perth, australia
Wonderful, great result.
Andrew Hodgson, London,
Just another 'liberal' dictator! Don't look to Boris the Buffoon to do anything for you. Just do it yourself! I do. It works. Think on...
Terry, London, UK
how many Boris Johnson's does it take to change a light bulb?
Boris? who's he? oh me! what's a light bulb?
tim b, Peterborough, UK
Let's just look at what mayor Guiliani did and achieved in New York during his term of office, then the way forward becomes clear: ZERO TOLERANCE!!!
Henning, Shanghai, China
Islamic socail system and laws are only solution to the increasing crimes in UK. Incest,murdering ones own child,stabbing,gang terror and fights are just horible.Increasing the number of cctv would not help
rehman, ilford, uk
I'll settle for common sense. No weighing garbage, better collection services. No £2800 fines for 4" open garbage lid. No 'hawk'ish' parking attendants. A unified transportation system and realistic prices (Paris Metro 70p) per journey. No cooking smells overhanging town centres, clean streets.
Brian Filby, Fondettes, France
Maitreya says we have to understand the causes of crime. The domain of the problem, he says, cannot be limited to the crimes themselves, because the solutions then will be simply reactive, dealing only with effects.
Maitre, London, UK
Good on Boris, but whats Ken going to do now? Other than be a thorn in the side of Brown.
Colin, Nottingham,
Good on you Boris! I know that you will be a great Mayor....
Caroline, London,
Good luck to Londoners and I hope Mr. Johnson's plan to fight crime works. Rudy Giuliani's "broken window" policy helped bring crime down in NY immensely, and it sounds similar to what Mr. Johnson proposes.
Catherine, Seattle, USA
Cars cause crime. They make the streets into unpleasant places where only the poor, teenagers, and those up to no good linger. The adult middle classes insulate themselves from the violence by driving everywhere.
Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK
Boris Johnson living proof that the people of London do have a sense of humour.
Dave, Lancashire, UK
The key note in his speech is the reconciliation of all parties and recognition of all community needs, not just those that he favours. Ken hated the car users and was very left wing. Some would have chosen Mickey Mouse over the self proclaimed biased " father of London".
Dan, London,
"Boris Johnson makes fighting crime top priority"
I didn't vote for Mr Boris but fighting crime would be a very good start. He'd get backing from every single Londoner for that... well everyone apart from the criminals of course.
jayil, london, uk
Fighting crime, same priority as our new Mayor in Rome. Good Luck to both of you !
Roberto Castellano, Salsomaggiore, Italy
Congratulations, Boris! Good to have a sensible, human mayor of London....Good Luck!
Harry Durnall, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
Crime, particularly violent crime, has been on the rise throughout the developed world. The traditional approaches to this problem, such as more prisons and police and longer prison sentences, do not seem to be working. But certainly the eruption of crime has brought a lot of dirt up to the surface.
Jaap den Haan, Namen,
London under control of a Tory leader is a very important soundbed running up to an election. Policies Boris employs will be watched by the nation. David should give him as much aid as he needs as failure, from today, will come back to haunt them on the day. I wish him success and will be watching.
Bob, Warrington, Cheshire