CRIME IN ENGLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1931, Page 1

CRIME IN ENGLAND

THE GUNMAN MENACE. RGSBOXSIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES. Eoi'd Trenchard, the new Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Jdilice, is faced with some,of the gravest problems in the annals of crime. Gunmen of a type known only in the United States have recently put in an appearance. Bank hold-ups are becoming more common. There is a widespread public demand for the abolition of gunmen before they become a really serious menace to the community. Thefts of motor-cars—the most valuable ally of the modern highwaymen—are rapidfw increasing. Nearly 5000 motor-cars were stolen last year, a jump of fifty per cent, over all previous figures. Burglary and housebreaking cases are rising, too, and one million pounds’ worth of jewellery has been stolen in the last twelve months. Smash-and-grab raiders are using automatic traffic to their advantage, timing their escapades to- the precise moment of the release of the traffic. “CHICAGO' METHODS.”

Prominent citizens of London are disturbed at the trend of events. Here are two opinions expressed to a “Sunday Express” representative:—

Sir Robert Wallace, the former chairman of the London Sessions: “Everything possible must be done to put an end to the Chicago methods of criminals in Britain. Unfortunate ry, this is one of the few countries in the world where the police are not armed. A truncheon is of no use against a revolver. I am not going to suggest to the authorities that our policemen -should be armed, but I will say that the time is not far distant when all policemen will have to better armed for the protection of citzens, property, and themselves. “A combination of circumstances is responsible for this cy.eat new wave of crime—unemployment, lack of parental control, a lower moral standard, the freedom which hoys are allowed even before they leave school. Crime usually accompanies social umest. Sir Montague Sharpe, chairman ofthe Middlesex Sessions: “I had to deal with seventy-eight cases at the last -sessions. This is a great increase. The figure for the previous quarter was onlv thirty-eight. “The activities of the gunmen and smash-and-grab raiders must bo seriously considered. Unemployment its ( the root cause of the increase in crime, i The majority of criminals who ap- | pear before me are young men. Ij have never known an armed criminal j under twenty-one years of age. In the ( ok! days highwaymen used to steal j horses to use on their raids; now they I steal motor-cars, with a better chance of escaping.” VIOLET RAYS V. FORGERYThe “Sunday Express” understands that when it was discovered that crime was on the increase Lord Byng, the late , Commissioner, evolving several new schemes and plans, and that these are now waiting at- New Scotland-yard for the attention of Lord Trenchar. One problem at present baffling Scotland Yard w that of forged banknotes, so cleverly made that only In the use of ultra-violet rays have they been detected. Tt is believed that the foroeries originate from Germany, Holland, and other Continental conntrie, but the method of importation is unknown. Officers of the Spec, a Branch of Scotland Yard and the poit authorities are now endeavouring £ trace how the notes are brought into Britain.