BRITISH POLICE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1932, Page 5

BRITISH POLICE

EXTRA COST AND WORK

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, May jj.

Referring to the Police Department vote in the House of Commons, Sir Herbert Samuels (Minister of Home Affairs) said he believed the British police force superior to all others m efficiency. If the police strength were greatly increased they probably would be .still more effective in suppressing crime, hut the cost involved had to be considered.

Before the, war, the police in England and Wales cost seven millions to the Exchequer, hut last year the cost was twenty-one millions, although the members had increased only from 54,000 to 58,000. In- London about seven and a-lialf per cent, of the police wore engaged- in traffic- control. A considerable -saving could he effected by automatic light signals which were extremely effective., and the increased use of which wa-s desirable. The alteration to the , regulations’ permitting motorists- to lock parked ears should serve as a precaution against the use of cars by bandits. He urged' tradesmen not to leave valuables in windows protected only by glass, arid advised a return to the custom of using grills.