The Tories have also opposed a key recommendation from the Macpherson Report into Stephen Lawrence's death that police issue a receipt every time they stop someone.

However, Simon Woolley, director of Operation Black Vote, which encourages ethnic minorities to participate in the democratic process, has described the proposal as "sanctioning the demonisation of black and Asian youth".

What do you think of Michael Howard's comments? Can The Tories' anti-crime plans work? Has political correctness gone too far? Or do you agree with Operation Black Vote?

This debate is now closed. Read your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

SUGGEST A DEBATE This topic was suggested by Stuart G, UK: What do you think of Michael Howard's recent anti-crime statements? Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates

Strip search Michael Howard and you'll find a hard-nosed opportunist who has latched on to fear of crime. Less paperwork? Which party introduced PACE, which requires much paperwork? Who closed down hundreds of police stations? Who got rid of thousands of policemen to save money? The same bloke who thinks you can reverse the policies of the last Tory Government and still save �1.6bn! Respect should start with respect for the public's intelligence!
Nick, London UK

Recommending that the police briefly record information about people whom they stop is not 'political correctness'. Given what we know about the disproportionate numbers of people from ethnic minorities who experience it, such recording is a necessary step towards securing fairer treatment. Mr Howard used the phrase 'political correctness' because he knows it is a catch-phrase in the media, and amongst the middle-England voting pool that he wants to attract. He does not care if he squanders the good will of ethnic minorities in doing so.
James McGuire, Liverpool, UK

It's about time someone at the top of public life talked sense. Someone once said "prison works". They were right. Michael Howard has proved himself to be in tune with what decent feel. Roll on the election.
Simon, Wolverhampton

The lack of respect for authority is directly linked to the Thatcher years message that people should have choice. Their choice then becomes to defy authority when it doesn't suit them (the detestation of speed cameras being the obvious example).The growth of individualism verses society lies behind a lack of respect not political correctness.
Guy Carter, Maidstone UK

Having done voluntary work in prisons I find perceptions of prison conditions hilarious. Let's be straight on this - prison conditions are awful. A single person cell sometimes has three beds, cramped together so no floor is showing, prisoners for minor offences are sometimes locked up for 23 hours a day and bullying is rife. The right wing media portrayal of luxury prisons is ludicrous. As for Howard's proposals, for violent crime yes we need tough action. For those with drug problems or first time offenders however, prison solves nothing and leads to loss of home, job and family and in all likelihood leads to the prisoner re-offending and being a burden on the state for years to come
Trevor, West Midlands, UK

Prisoners are given too much Andy Verey, Leicester, England

I agree with Mr. Howard that 'political correctness' has gone too far. When a prisoner is released, he/she should say to themselves "I do not want to experience that again". Prisoners are given too much - they get the chance to improve themselves mentally and physically whilst there are many decent people who cannot afford to do so. A prisoner should be given a cell like on the TV programme 'Porridge' and they should be given the minimum of food in order to keep them nourished and free from illness. Stop pampering them - they gave up their rights, and think about the rights of the victims. This just might cut the prison population, reduce the need for more prisons, and the money saved can be put to better use.
Andy Verey, Leicester, England

Michael Howard's proposals on law and order are laughable. I have just retired from 30 years of policing, the last 16 as an Inspector in charge of several sections. When I introduced zero tolerance in 1994 in my section, the period when Michael Howard was Home Secretary, I was supported wholeheartedly by the community but did I get anyone to court? No. Why? Because the third rate Crown Prosecution Service which materialised under the Tories would not take one yob to court. Despite numerous arguments with prosecutors all that was ever given for the crimes Howard is talking about was a caution. The police are overwhelmed with paperwork and procedures, most of which were introduced by the Tories who always looked for ways to reduce the burden of paperwork but failed as did they when it came to increasing the numbers of police on the street.
Bob, Southend, UK

About time someone spoke up with positive ideas. We are all completely fed up with the present situation and he appears to give hope for the future.
Iris Carroll, Reading, UK

Thank God - a politician who is actually talking sense! If he can reverse this Government's totally useless policies on law and order then he's got my vote. As for people who say it will 'demonise black & Asian youth', what a load of RUBBISH. I really don't give a damn what colour the thug is, white, black, green with purple spots - if he/she's a criminal, then for God's sake punish them!!!
R. Slade, Pontypridd, S.Wales, UK

40,000 extra police - will these be real police or the CSO's who have no powers and do nothing except waste money that could be spent on real police officers?
Geoff Peck, Sleaford, Lincolnshire

Zero tolerance is long overdue Dave, Chatham, Kent

Zero tolerance is long overdue. We are confronted on a daily basis of louts who have no respect for property, people or law and order. They are generally foul mouthed and uncontrollable. I would love to see the rule of law deal with this socially corrupt and malicious part of our community and if that means boot camps and the stocks and curfews then it will at last make those that are destroying our country pay the price for it. We need to use whatever means we have to stop this moral and lawless decline.
Dave, Chatham, Kent

A bit late, Mr Howard. Didn't Mr Blair mention something about dropping the 60's social consensus, or something like that ? Anyway, it appears that good things are happening in my area, neighbourhood organisations helped by police and the council have done wonders with the teenagers in our area, keeping them busy and jumping on any parents who are not keeping their kids under control. It works, and it's more than the Tories ever did for life in council estates before.
Matthew Hannagan, Hemel, UK

We're always hearing this 'zero tolerance' nonsense but where are the policemen who are supposed to apprehend these people? They are absent, and this makes many laws unenforceable. Has anyone, for example, ever seen a driver being apprehended for using a mobile phone at the wheel? I doubt it! So any policy that gets the police away from their desks and out on the beat is a good idea. I doubt that Mr Howard will succeed where others have failed, though.
Graeme , Worksop, England

I want criminals stopped and searched, I want crime to be reduced, I want the judicial system to be tough on criminals and support victims. Removing the requirement for the police to record all stop and search incidents won't do this, it will just allow the few bad police officers out there to go back to victimising people based on race or religion. This is just yet another gimmick from Howard, he's come up with so many gimmicks he should have a slot on the shopping channel.
Elizabeth, Oxford, UK

Many people will welcome the fact that finally a potential prime minister is taking their fears about crime seriously. David J Timson, Belfast

How typical of the BBC to highlight Howard's pledge to scrap the plan to issue receipts for stop and search! This is a minor part of the proposals. The parts that deserve far more attention are the plans for zero-tolerance policing, for increased prison building etc. I suspect that 99% of the public couldn't give a damn about stop and search receipts but that many many people (especially those outside "BBC-land") will welcome the fact that finally a potential prime minister is taking their fears about crime seriously.
David J Timson, Belfast UK

I clearly see that many of the respondents here have never been beaten to a pulp in the cells for no reason other than coming from the wrong town or having the wrong colour of skin. Police officers are every bit as likely to abuse their authority as anybody else, which is why we need strong safeguards for civil liberties.
Duncan King, Edinburgh, UK

The one sure thing about Howard is that he will do as he says, whereas Tony Blair and his cronies say it without meaning to follow it through. How many people or communities have benefited from the headline grabbing laws on anti-social behaviour? Precious few, certainly not those in communities where it is hell to live in. How often do we hear the argument that the police know who is guilty but are powerless to do anything? Maybe Howard will allow something to be done in the interest of the silent, law-abiding, tax-paying majority.
Bill Logan, Paisley Scotland

Zero tolerance is definitely the way forward! If someone does something wrong or against the law or society, then they should be punished. People should take responsibility for their own actions and live with the consequences, however good or bad they may be. Free up the police force and let the people employed to uphold the law do their job. If a person has nothing to hide, what's the problem with being asked a few questions and/or searched on suspicion?
Gabriel, Berks, UK

This sounds like a good start but Mr Howard will have to look at the whole criminal and civil justice system Jon, Essex

This sounds like a good start but Mr Howard will have to look at the whole criminal and civil justice system, which is collapsing under the weight of the 'human rights Act'. Judges seem to think they can make a name for themselves by constantly overturning laws made in Parliament. If judges were elected by the local people and all their decisions/judgements were available for all to analyse we could soon weed out the bad ones and get back to Justice for the people.
Jon, Essex

It causes some hilarity amongst European police officers that a person stopped by the police in Britain is under no compulsion to give their name or address. However the Police Officer must, first give his name and station, the grounds for the search and state the object he is looking for. Prior to carrying out any search. This wonderful piece of legislation was enacted under the Police and Criminal evidence Act 1984. (who was in power then?)
David Nixon, Martigne Ferchaud, France.

I applaud Mr Howard's pledge. The failure in our schools is due, in part, to the lack of discipline and respect of authority. No negative action from a pupil results in the appropriate punishment, even assault on a teacher or a fellow pupil and I know of a few. There should be powers in place to rid of the scourge of unpleasant and anti-social behaviour, whether in the school or public environment.
Karon Athies, Chertsey, Surrey

Howard's budget cuts would mean less PCs not less PC Alex Coronation, Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK

Fighting crime is a top priority, but we need more investment not cheap gimmicks. Howard's budget cuts would mean less PCs not less PC. Michael Howard is just trying to cover up the terrible summer he's been having. He knows its close to Howard's end, and he's just trying to grab a few headlines during the silly season.
Alex Coronation, Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK

I join the police next month and would definitely feel more empowered and able to make a difference in my new career under a Conservative government.
Anon, UK

Despite massive evidence and decades-long research to the contrary, Howard blithely dismisses the possibility that we are all the products of complex life-histories and upbringings (which admission would require complex solutions and collective state intervention) and asserts that people should just take responsibility. But how do they learn to do this, if not precisely through their upbringing? He wants to eat his cake and have it. Ever asked yourself why you didn't become a criminal and others do (or why so few nice educated middle-class kids become burglars, thugs, drug-dealers?).
Giles Hooper, Didcot, Oxon

I've been a police officer for 30 years. During that time every government and Home Secretary that has come to power has promised to cut back on police paperwork to free up officers' time for patrol - and all that has happened is that legal bureaucracy has got worse and worse. So I'm not impressed with Mr Howard's tough talk. The courts and the legal system are arranged for the benefit of the legal profession. Lawyers also outnumber any other profession in Parliament - Mr Howard and Mr Blair are amongst their numbers.
Andy, Exeter

Either we want a 'get-tough' approach to crime across the board or we don't Hal Berstram, Birmingham, UK

I wonder whether the enthusiastic supporters of 'zero tolerance' on this forum are the same people who moan about too many speed cameras? Either we want a 'get-tough' approach to crime across the board or we don't. The Tories can't have it both ways. So what about a consistent policy Mr Howard?
Hal Berstram, Birmingham, UK

There are good points in Mr Howard's speech about respect, decency and values, but, yet again, he seems to have revealed his ignorance and lack of cultural competence on race issues. Figures continually show that non-white people are more likely to be stopped by police. This can't be a coincidence. Dismissing this as 'political correctness' shows the contempt Mr Howard has for ethnic minorities in this country.
Ade Fashade, Chelmsford, England

A stunning speech and gets my vote!
Rachael Harris, Bristol

Why bother with this! Even if a Policeman/woman does get a suspect into court the Human Rights Act, will ensure that getting a guilty verdict will be nigh on impossible, much less delivering a deterrent sentence. It is a fact that in this country judges and magistrates must ultimately look to this piece of legal humbug before delivering their verdict. If the Tories decide to get rid of this Act, then maybe we can start to believe again in the process of law.
Paul A, London, UK

Zero tolerance is the only way forward Glenn, Cambs

The liberal loonies just cannot accept that there are bad people out there. By the time a 'criminal' has reach adulthood the chances of changing them is very small. It does not matter how much money or social responsibility you give them. Zero tolerance is the only way forward, and more rights given to the victims rather than the criminals. It should not matter what colour a suspect is - the police should have every right to stop any suspect criminal - whatever their colour.
Glenn, Cambs

Here we have a term 'Political Correctness' which thanks to Tory backing media immediately means something bad. We know from past experience that the Police are not even-handed when it comes to stopping members of the Public. It remains the case, if you're black, you are more likely to stopped. Any measure, by its nature, that is designed improve equality must be welcomed. In time, when race is truly a non-issue, such measures will become unnecessary. But until that day, such measures are necessary and Michael Howard knows this. He again uses a convenient term to try and gain votes without addressing the real issue.
David Palmer, Yeovil

At last someone is talking some sense on the subject of crime and disorder rather than the liberal bleatings, tip-toeing around political correctness and 'offender management' schemes. Nobody advocates that criminals shouldn't have a second chance but it really is high time that repeat offenders are made to feel the hatred that the community have for them.
Phillip Holley, UK, Cambs

"Trust the Tories and Michael Howard". I don't think so. I know Labour has been closing Police Stations, however that policy started under the Tories.
David Holder, UK

At last, a political party acknowledges reality Andrew Watson, Basingstoke, UK

At last, a political party acknowledges reality - every major study of its kind shows the absence of a father to be the most (or one of the most) significant factor determining whether a child grows up to be a criminal. If the Tories bring an end to the needless destruction of father/child relationships in the Family Courts, the benefits to society and the taxpayer will be huge, in addition to ending the abuse of tens of thousands more children each year cut off from their fathers.
Andrew Watson, Basingstoke, UK

I am all in favour of getting more police back on the streets, stopping and searching anyone at anytime. If that's what it will take to restore some order on our streets again, I am all for it. If you haven't done anything wrong what have you got to worry about. Bit more common sense, less political correctness/madness. They will need to sort the courts out as well.
Mike, Hove, England:

The bureaucratic hand-cuffs on our police are more constraining than any they ever clipped to the wrists of criminals Ed, Aberdeen, Scotland

At the moment the biggest cause of mistrust in the police is that they don't seem to care about burglary or car theft. Given that these are the concerns of most of the population (rather than just the inner cities), perhaps the Tories are on a sensible track. Expect Labour to steal the language if it looks like it strikes a chord...
RS, Bath, UK

I don't particularly like Michael Howard, but I'm becoming more and more impressed with his hard-nosed "let's put things right" style. The bureaucratic hand-cuffs on our police are more constraining than any they ever clipped to the wrists of criminals.
Ed, Aberdeen, Scotland

Yes if they have the will to push it through, but I still think it doesn't go far enough. Let's arm the police while we are at it (and don't say that it will only make us more like America, the police on the continent carry fire arms).
Christopher W. Whybrow, Bristol/England

What on earth makes a politician think he knows anything at all about it? Never mind have the impertinence to think he can conjure up a solution out of thin air! If we gave the people responsible for law and order (the Police, and the criminal justice agencies) the resources and authority to make recommendations in their own field of expertise, we may go some way to finding a solution, if there is one. Politicians who say "Tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime" or "short sharp shock" are tough on my eardrums and a long painful shock to me!
Clive, Birmingham UK

It's about time someone got serious about crime. Whatever happened to "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime"? I'm fed up with do-gooding liberals making excuses for law breaking.
Jim Hains, Newcastle

The police should be allowed to get on with their jobs and protect us from the real threats Louise Stanley, Reading, UK

I am proud to live in a tolerant society like Britain; I don't think that the terror threat justifies a huge clampdown, but I don't think it follows that failing to issue a receipt will prompt police to go after black and Asian youths! The police should be allowed to get on with their jobs and protect us from the real threats.
Louise Stanley, Reading, UK

Maybe I'm a bad at maths but: Thatcher champions individualism + Howard reveres Thatcher should equal, Howard champions individualism. But wait! Not with the new, caring, sharing Tories, now we must all love one another and not scramble over each other for a profit. Except for those dirty, dirty criminals. Lock them up! One of these days I'll open a newspaper and find that the Tories have managed a proper policy outlining the methods to achieve a result, rather than just what they would like the result to be. The only reason Blair will be sweating is the Caribbean heat.
James, Northampton

Get the beat bobbies back out on their feet walking around the streets the way they used to. Bring the police back into the community the way they were thirty years ago. Once upon a time the community police know the names of most of their particular neighbourhood, they chatted with folk and were considered friends rather than enemies. When you have the same policepersons walking around all the time, the community gets to know and trust them - irrespective of colour or creed - and they will find out much more about potential crimes or crimes committed than they ever will sitting in their cars and offices.
Kiltie, Staffs, UK

Seeing as all of the policies introduced by Michael Howard when he was Home Secretary were total failures, including raising the prison population to breaking point, we can assume their plans won't work.
Glenn Herbert, Matlock

Michael Howard's announcement is entirely sensible. It is lunacy to expect police officers to waste their time filling in pointless forms to satisfy Whitehall pen-pushers, when they should be on the beat preventing crime and catching criminals. Michael Howard is quite right - it's time to free the police from an interfering Labour government that thinks it knows best. It is surely time to let the police get on with their job.
Richard John, Cardiff, Wales

The way forward is as the successful Middlesbrough and New York models, zero tolerance. The political correct idealists have left us with a system that favours the criminal and does nothing to discourage further crime and disorder. The criminals laugh at the naivety of the immature liberal elite.
John Karran, Merseyside, UK

I think it's excellent. For too long this country has been spiralling into a "no-touching" zone, where criminals can successfully sue the victims. Discipline is exactly what we need, children need to be taught to respect again.
Rory Smith, Bromley, Kent

Invest in society and society's future Helena De Marcos, UK

The only thing that will work is for some government, any government to simply invest in society and society's future. Spend money on education, and spend it on our youth. It really IS that simple; so simple, nobody will do it.
Helena De Marcos, UK

The trouble is, even if the police do clean up our streets, the magistrates will let the offenders out again with a slap on the wrist. That's where the real problem lies.
Toby Coulson, Cobham, Surrey

Seven minutes seems like a long time to issue a receipt but if that is what it takes, so be it. Hopefully, it will introduce some accountability and reduce the number of occasions where somebody is stopped simply because of their racial profile. I am disappointed that Mr Howard did not outline his plans to reduce poverty, a major cause of crime. Perhaps this is because it is significantly easier to blame parents and political correctness.
Catherine O, Maidenhead, UK

Strip-search a police officer and you'll probably find he's carrying more stationery than a high-street branch of WH Smith. It surprises me that the police are even allowed to draw their batons without first obtaining permission in triplicate, signing a declaration of use form and taking out insurance against claims of misuse and brutality. Biros, notebooks and filing cabinets don't tackle rising crime rates. Batons, cuffs and radios do a far better job!
Patrick V. Staton, Guildford, UK

It is okay for all the politicians to say they are going to do what the public want, but once the European bods and the civil rights lawyers get their hands on everything it all falls to bits.... Put the clamps on them instead and we could then get back to ruling ourselves.. (the common sense way..)
Don Linton, Somerton, UK

I would certainly like to see people being forced to take more responsibility for their own actions. We are heading towards a US-style blame culture with everyone being a victim. And as for teaching children to be more respectful, well, that can only really be done by the parents and it seems more and more parents don't want to accept their responsibilities. I always see groups of very young kids wandering around late at night - not necessarily up to no good, but certainly not receiving the kind of parenting they deserve.
Mark Malik, Teesside

I sometimes wonder if the Tories ever bother to sit down and think about producing a coherent policy position on anything at all these days. Instead they just seem to leap on the nearest bandwagon and pray desperately that it isn't heading for the brick wall of reality. They seem to have a vague inkling that for many people the party itself is now a joke, and as a result are thrashing out in all directions like a panicky octopus.
Marc Jones, London

At last some common sense from the political arena. Zero tolerance of crime and the dumping of this pathetic political correctness will get my vote every time.
James, UK

Anything that gets policemen out of the office and on to the streets has to be good for the community. Effective community policing is all about visibility. With respect to the issue of receipts, I'm afraid I don't understand why they are required. What does it prove? Is there some kind of target each officer has to stop and search? As for who they stop and what their colour is I couldn't care less, people are far too sensitive over this issue. It would be interesting to know what other European police forces do, do they issue receipts?
Terry, Epsom, Surrey, England