ROUNDING UP THE "CROOKS"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 31, 31 October 1919, Page 3

ROUNDING UP THE "CROOKS"

BIG HARVEST IN SIDNEY

HOW RACEGOERS WERE PROTECTED Raids on the closest resemblance that Sydney has to "thieves' kitchens" and other questionable resorts just prioi to the opening of tho A.J.C. Carnival resulted in tho gathering in of over 50 reputed pickpockets and . "crooks" of all descriptions, with tho result that although the races brought together record crowds, only one case of pocketpicking has been reported to the police, when scores might reasonably havo been expected (says the Sydney "Sun").

Tho lone victim of a "dip" lost only a few shiliiii.s and some papers at I'andwick, ;i:::! there is a possibility that ho did not lutve his pocket picked, for ho bus admitted that his purse might havo worked out of his pocket while ho Was bustling through a crowd. The rouuding-up of "crooks" at carnival time in Sydney has become an institution, and tho police have lwen handsomely rewarded for their trouble. Sinco ]!)!•') tho in/lux of criminals from the other States has not 'been particularly heavy, mid consequently those who made tho trip were handled without difficulty.

But with the return of racing to a pro-war standard, Superintendent Bannan, the chief of Sydney's detectives, anticipated that "crookdom" would endeavour to resume operations on a prowar basis.

They did. Pickpockets and thieves of nil descriptions and mngsmen and other "crooks" flocked to Sydney from all over Australia, but principally from Melbourne and Brisbane, and joined the Sydney contingent, which was already getting around in fine clothing in search of the "mugs," which they believe—and with good reason—aro born every minute.

The inter-State, arrivals numbered well over 50, and as they included a good percentage of, experts with long histories, the indications were that racegoers would suffer serious losses. But ••ho visitors reckoned without their hosts.

Some of the men tvero quickly recognised and whisked out to long Bay., but too large a number ivas still at libj erty tor tho good oi the public, Coneequenlly about a week before tho enrnivsl opened Superintendent Bannan called his men together and told them to Rot busy and gather in tho suspects. Tho results were satisfactory, but all the eamo many remained to bo accounted for.

. By this time, however, tho majority of the inter-State men had been located, and tho night before tho carnival opened tho detectives and, plain-clothes policemen raided half, a dozen houses in tho city and suburbs. Over 50 men wore arrested, and charges of being suspected persons and vagrancy charges were put against them with a view to holding 'thorn. In every case tho application for bail was opposed by the police, with the result that they have remained in gaol for the week.

Of course, the police took other precautions, in connection with the races. Every entrance was closely guarded with a view to preventing any who had dodged the net from getting where tho pickings were good, and whenever ono was spotted lie was placed in "tho cooler" on tho course.

It is doubtful, however, whether a singlo "crook" worthy of the nauio evaded that second net. for detectives state that they did not seo ono in tho paddock, Leger, or flat during the four days pf the meeting. Thcro was also a striking absence of pocket-picking, and other robberies in city crowds during the week.' Had there been a heavy crop with the crowds that were in the streets day and night it would not have been surprising.' But possibly tho few losses ' reported wcro accounted for by the presence of a. .large number of strange ■looking men, appearing to' bo altogether cut of their element, who roamed the streets in couples. They wore plain-clothes policemen from tho outlying suburbs, and they kept a watchful eve on the crowds to see that nothing happened. . .