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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Parts of Britain 'like The Wire' | Parts of Britain 'like The Wire' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling, has compared parts of the UK to The Wire, a US television show which portrays inner city drugs and violence. | The shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling, has compared parts of the UK to The Wire, a US television show which portrays inner city drugs and violence. |
| In a speech later, Mr Grayling will argue that the UK now suffers from the same culture of gangs and street violence found in the US. | In a speech later, Mr Grayling will argue that the UK now suffers from the same culture of gangs and street violence found in the US. |
| He will also argue that Labour has failed to protect the poorest parts of Britain from crime. | He will also argue that Labour has failed to protect the poorest parts of Britain from crime. |
| But the government said crime had fallen by 36% since it came to power. | But the government said crime had fallen by 36% since it came to power. |
| Mr Grayling will tell an audience in Westminster that British police are fighting an "urban war" against gangs and that violence in society has become "a norm and not an exception". | Mr Grayling will tell an audience in Westminster that British police are fighting an "urban war" against gangs and that violence in society has become "a norm and not an exception". |
| Far too many of those features of what we have always seen as a US phenomenon are now to be found on the streets of Britain Chris Grayling, shadow home secretary | Far too many of those features of what we have always seen as a US phenomenon are now to be found on the streets of Britain Chris Grayling, shadow home secretary |
| The Wire, which is currently being shown on BBC Two, has been acclaimed for its realistic portrayal of the struggle between police and drug-dealing gangs on the streets of Baltimore in Maryland. | The Wire, which is currently being shown on BBC Two, has been acclaimed for its realistic portrayal of the struggle between police and drug-dealing gangs on the streets of Baltimore in Maryland. |
| Mr Grayling will repeat his charge that poorer communities in the UK have been let down by Labour, saying: "The Wire has become a byword for urban deprivation and societal breakdown in modern America." | Mr Grayling will repeat his charge that poorer communities in the UK have been let down by Labour, saying: "The Wire has become a byword for urban deprivation and societal breakdown in modern America." |
| 'Constant fear' | 'Constant fear' |
| He will say: "When The Wire comes to Britain's streets, it is the poor who suffer most. It is the poor who are the ones who have borne the brunt of the surge in violence under this government. | He will say: "When The Wire comes to Britain's streets, it is the poor who suffer most. It is the poor who are the ones who have borne the brunt of the surge in violence under this government. |
| "It is they who struggle to live their lives against a constant fear of crime. | "It is they who struggle to live their lives against a constant fear of crime. |
| "Far too many of those features of what we have always seen as a US phenomenon are now to be found on the streets of Britain as well." | "Far too many of those features of what we have always seen as a US phenomenon are now to be found on the streets of Britain as well." |
| But Home Office minister Alan Campbell insisted the government was helping areas with high crime rates. | But Home Office minister Alan Campbell insisted the government was helping areas with high crime rates. |
| He said: "Our efforts to tackle all crime are concentrated in local areas which are most at risk, because we recognise that some areas face more challenges than others. | He said: "Our efforts to tackle all crime are concentrated in local areas which are most at risk, because we recognise that some areas face more challenges than others. |
| "We have initiatives to tackle crime that target funding to the areas with most need." | "We have initiatives to tackle crime that target funding to the areas with most need." |
| He added: "Since 1997, crime has fallen by 36%. Overall drug use is at historically low levels and robust action is ensuring drugs are being taken off the streets. | He added: "Since 1997, crime has fallen by 36%. Overall drug use is at historically low levels and robust action is ensuring drugs are being taken off the streets. |
| "Drug use has fallen since 1997." | "Drug use has fallen since 1997." |
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