Women would be less safe on the streets if the Tories win power, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said today.
The startling claim came as the victim of an acid attack spoke out in favour of Labour's plans to spread the use of CCTV cameras to curb crime.
Mr Johnson said that the Conservatives' complaints about the threat to civil liberties by using CCTV and DNA databases would lead to women being at greater risk. The Home Secretary was supported by model Katie Piper, 26, who was badly disfigured when two men threw acid at her in Golders Green. She told the party's press conference that without the cameras, her attackers may never have been brought to justice.
When asked if he was suggesting that women would be at greater risk under the Tories, Mr Johnson replied: "Women like Katie and others would be in greater danger on our streets if we reduce the level of CCTV and particularly if we restricted the police's ability to use the DNA database."
Ms Piper said: "I believe CCTV is an essential tool in today's day and age in ensuring the safety of the public. If you don't have anything to hide, you don't have anything to fear. Without CCTV my attackers could have walked free."
Ms Piper, who has had extensive surgery to rebuild her face, said the cameras captured close-ups of the attack. Both attackers were found guilty and sentenced to life.
Ms Piper said she is "comforted" now by the thought that CCTV cameras are in many places and wouldn't live or work in an area without them.
Her comments came as Mr Johnson and Communities Secretary John Denham promised to give people the power to petition for cameras in crime hotspots.
In a clear bid to seize on Liberal Democrat policies against ID cards and other issues, Mr Johnson said: "The Lib-Dems are soft on crime, inept on immigration and downright bloody dangerous on national security."
Mr Johnson warned that leader Nick Clegg's plans to scrap short prison sentences would mean fewer jail terms for men convicted of domestic violence.
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Gordon Brown also tried to ressurrect Labour's mantra of "tough on crime and the causes of crime". But on a visit to Oldham, he was challenged by one voter to ensure that he applied his mantra to the MPs disgraced by the expenses scandal.
