Europe plays a vital part in combating International Crime that affects Warwick & Leamington.

3.05.40pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th Jun 2007

Alan Beddow with Liz Lynne at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Alan Beddow, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Warwick & Leamington met MEP's Bill Newton Dunn and Liz Lynne at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss the scale and challenges of international organised crime. Liz Lynne who comes from Stratford upon Avon is the Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands.

Alan Beddow said, "International Crime affects us here in Warwick & Leamington. People can fall victim to Internet Scams's, our children can be at risk from the international market in Child Pornography and Paedophile Rings and there is the significant increase in heroin from Afghanistan which finds its way onto our streets in Warwick & Leamington."

"International crime demands a co-ordinated European response. Criminal gangs are operating across borders in a very sophisticated way. Bill Newton Dunn explained some of the frustrations faced in Europe and how he would like to see more integration within our national governmental agencies,"

"As the challenges we face become more global the role of the European Union becomes even more vital to us at home."

Alan was told how laptops stolen from cars in Warwickshire are no longer stolen for the computers themselves, they are sold for the data which is sold on to criminal gangs operating in other countries. Child Pornography and Paedophile rings use networks of computers hosted in other countries.

Alan was also told about the appalling trade in people trafficking, some of whom end up at Warwick Service station. Many of these people are promised better lives by gangs and end up trapped into prostitution and slavery. 1/3rd of Africans coming to Europe via the Canary islands drown at sea. Alan Beddow supports Liz Lynne's campaign against modern day slavery and human trafficking.

Related Links:

Website of ELDR - European Liberal Democrats - European Alliance of Parties.

Website of Liz Lynne.

Website of Bill Newton Dunn.

Read more about Alan's visit to the European Parliament and NATO.