ANTI-VICE SQUAD

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 34, 4 November 1942, Page 4

ANTI-VICE SQUAD

Police Innovation In Wellington

Au anti-vice squad has been inaugurated in Wellington. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. D. J. Cummings:. stated last night that a special squad of police constables, headed by ii sergeant, has been allotted the task of dealing with the growing menace of vice in the city. Hitherto each police district has been left to deal with such suspects or suspected places as may appear in their own districts, but the new squad, working from the Central Police Station, will now be available to help in anv police district in the capital. The growth of disorderly conduct has for some time been giving concern to citizens, and this concern has been in no way lessened by the increasing number of eases coming before the Court in which vice plays a part in the charge. Apart from the growth of sly-grog selling, cases of which now come before the Court almost every week, there has been an increasing number of eases . where voung women and even girlo in their 'teens have been dealt with fot disorderly conduci, )t nd there Das been frequent .mention of those delinquents suffering from venereal disease. . Another aspect of Hie problem is revealed by the mention in some of the evidence' given in Court. Hint certain houses in the -city have been placed out of bounds to visiting servicemen bv their commanding officers. 'it probable Hint Hie appointment of the special squad has arisen from these factors.