SERIOUS CRIME

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1928, Page 4

SERIOUS CRIME

ALARM IN SYDNEY

I’OLICE FORCE TO BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED.

'SYDNEY, July 12.

The failure of the police to make any headway in their enquiries into several recent crimes of violence, including the double murder at Dulwich Hill, has clearly created a measure of alarm among the- public as well as in official quarters. The Chief Secretary, who is in charge of the police, has all along defended the force, as was only to he expected, lie has denied that there was a crime wave, and in the circumstances it was rather unfortunate for his arguments that the Cabinet should appoint a special sub-com-mittee to enquire into the situation generally. Many of the Ministers take the view that the serious drift towards crime demands immediate attention of a far-reaching character, and even the Chief Secretary has stated that detectives should he sent to Scotland Yard to learn the latest methods in crime detection. There is a suggestion of a difference) of opinion in the Cabinet, one section supporting the police and the other attacking it. The Press while clearly anxious to assist the police in every way posible. lias been showing a little hostility, or perhaps it is impatience, at the failure of the police to make progress with their enquiries. This probably influenced the Premier (Mr Bavin) to step in and make an authoritative statement thus taking the matter out of the hands of the Chief Secretary. Mr Bavin said that the Government had had under consideration for some time means of improving the efficiency of tile force. He recalled that the Cabinet decided some months ago to appoint an additional 200 constables. It •seems that the operation of the 44-hour week has nullified the increase. Consequently still more men are to be appointed to the uniformed corp, and some of the constables with more extensive training will be transferred to the plain clothes branch. “ It is only fair to state,” said Mr Bavin, “ that figures which have been obtained with regard to the number of serious crimes in this State which have gone undetected compare more than favourably with similar figures from other parts of the world. During the year ended June 30th, 1926, the total number of such cases was 310, and the number successfully dealt with by the police 267. During the following year the total number of cases was 330, and the number successfully dealt with 273, while for the year ended June 30th, 1928, the figures are, respectively,-332 and 267. This gives a percentage of cases successfully dealt with by the police for the last three years as 86, 82, and 80. The special committee of tlie Cabinet has before it certain recommendations which are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible.” A suggestion lias been made, on the ground that brains and not brawn are required in a detective, that the standards of physical fitness should be reduced. This is strongly opposed by the Chief Secretary, who said that there did not seem to be any need for such a far-reaching step.