BLACKMAILING

Grey River Argus, 29 March 1948, Page 8

BLACKMAILING

Some years ago, blackmail was so rampant in Britain that close on 4000 cases were reported in one year. Now the number is much less. In London, Scotland Yard is gradually getting on top of this form of crime and has succeeded in breaking up most of the big-time blackmail gangs because it sticks rigidly to the rule or refusing to prosecute the victim. In many cases, the victim has committed some moral crime which carries with it a punishment of several years’ imprisonment. But, even in those cases, they do not prosecute. From Scotland Yard’s point of view it is much more important to gaol the blackmailer than to worry about the victim’s lapses. In every such case, the victim is known in the court merely as “Mr A” or “Mr X.” his true name and address being withheld. Consequently, he can prosecute without the fear that his wife, or anyone else, will ever know his secret.

Over a period of years, this policy has been so successful that a vast number of blackmailers—some of whom used to make from £60,000 to £70,000 a year—are now serving out long prison sentences, while, at the same time, the victims have been freed from the worry, which, in many cases, has followed them for years.