In the Daily Mail on Saturday I set out ideas for restoring public confidence in the justice system in the face of rising crime. These include replacing automatic early release from prison with earned release, a 24/7 sobriety scheme for offenders, and a national cyber constabulary to tackle internet crime.

Neighbourhood policing should be guaranteed though a ringfenced fund, so that the police are put back on the streets, and the remit of 
local Police & Crime Commissioners like Katy Bourne in Sussex should be expanded to include supervision of probation.

The full proposals can be read in a report on “ten crime and justice priorities for the new government”, published by The Project for Modern Democracy, an independent think tank which I chair.
 
Boris Johnson recognises the problem and has already pledged to recruit 20,000 more police officers, increase the number of prison places and toughen up sentencing. More resources are welcome, but for the streets to be safer we also need reform to make the criminal justice system faster and smarter.

In my local newspaper column last week I wrote about the need for more dedicated cycle paths between our villages. The Government published a £1.2 billion plan two years ago to encourage more cycling and walking, with much of this funding allocated for cycling schemes. I would like to see an ambitious new plan for a network of cycle paths throughout West Sussex.
 
I remain concerned that neighbourhood plans in our villages are being undermined by speculative development. Last week I wrote to the Minister for Housing, Esther McVey MP, asking that a Hassocks planning application is ‘called-in’ for the Government’s decision. Together with other MPs I have already raised with new ministers the need to strengthen neighbourhood plans, and we will pursue this issue with them and in the Commons. 
 
Last week I also supported the call for volunteer drivers for the Storrington Area Help Scheme. This provides an essential transport link for people who beed to travel to health appointments in the local area, and the team are asking to hear from anyone with a car who can commit to as little as two hours a week to help. 

Please see below a selection of recent articles, speeches and news releases from my website, nickherbert.com. I hope you will find this a useful source of information about my work representing you in Parliament.

If you have any issues you would like to raise with me, whether local or national, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].