Brian Dash at the Cussens Day Centre for Senior Citizens, Hythe

Brian was invited to talk to users of the Day Centre about crime and the party approach, including the concept of "Tough Liberalism"- involving offenders undertaking community service, having to face up to the consequences of what they had done and where possible, making good the damage caused.

The audience heard that Hampshire has one of the lowest crime rates in the country and that the New Forest had the lowest recorded crime rates in the County. Brian says "Fear of crime is often a much more significant factor in the quality of life people enjoy than the reality of crime".

There was a lot of audience participation, with plenty of questions, ranging from drug and alcohol abuse to community wardens.