Cameron vows to tackle Britains moral collapse

David Cameron is to vow to address the “moral collapse” that led to widespread looting and violence across English cities last week.

In a speech to his Oxford constituency today, the Prime Minister will outline plans for a shake-up of social policy as he seeks to assure that he can “take on and defeat” the nation’s social problems.

He will pledge to “review every aspect of our work to mend our broken society, on schools, welfare, families, parenting, addiction, communities, on the cultural, legal, bureaucratic problems in our society; from the twisting and misrepresenting of human rights that has undermined personal responsibility, to the obsession with health and safety that has eroded people’s willingness to act according to common sense”.

The Government has already promised to crack down on the criminal gangs blamed for last week’s looting spree.

Mr Cameron will also use his speech to reject Labour’s call for an inquiry into the violence, saying, “We know what’s gone wrong.”

“Social problems that have been festering for decades have exploded in our face,” he will say.

“Now, just as people wanted criminals robustly confronted on our street, so they want to see these problems taken on and defeated.

“Our security fightback must be matched by a social fightback.”

More than 2,800 people have been arrested and 1,300 charged following the disorder.

Courts sat through the night last week and there were unprecedented hearings on Sunday to deal with the volume of cases.

In Birmingham, around 2,000 people took part in a peace rally yesterday in memory of three men run down and killed by a car as they protected their property. Three men have been charged over the murders.

On Sunday, churches across Britain joined in praying for the restoration of the nation. Individual Christians and organisations like Youth for Christ have been part of the response in affected communities, helping to clear up the mess and providing practical assistance to victims.

In London, hundreds gathered at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster for a prayer vigil on Saturday organised by Premier Christian Radio.

Premier's chief executive Peter Kerridge said: “We need to see Christians uniting to pray for peace and an end to the turmoil. And, with young people bearing the brunt of the media wrath, we also want to send a message of hope to our youth.”