CRIME IN VICTORIA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4909, 30 November 1925, Page 1

CRIME IN VICTORIA.

gradually decreasing.

MELBOURNE DETECTIVE’S VIEWS.

According to Detective A. C. Lee, of the Victorian Police Force, crime is not half so bad in Melbourne at the present .time as it was a few years ago. This is due, the officer believes, to the fact that most of. those who were .at the head of criminal affairs in the underworld at that period are now in gaol.

■“Oh, yes,” said .the detective, talking to a representative of the “Dominion” on Thursday, “it is quite true that at times we are surrounded by crime and criminals on all sides, but then you people must remember that Victoria is a very big place, with a big population, and that makes all the difference. Still, I am glad to say that the wave of crime formerly existing is gradually being wiped out. Of course, there are many people whom we know should be in prison, but British law demands justice, and one cannot be punished unless positive proof is first established of their evil deeds. All those connected with big shop robberies in our city are behind the bars, and will, probably remain there for some time. As, many are in for three years, they may be looked upon as fairly safe for the present, anyway.”

“What of the underworld ?” the interviewer asked. “Is it as. bad as it used to be ? And do the usual gangs around Fitzroy way still keep up the usual feuds and shoot on sight?” The man-from overseas lit his pipe and smiled. “Hardly that,” he answered. “Still, I’U admit they were bad at one time, but fortunately we have a good hold over them now." . “Are juries still squared as they were a year or two ago, as the Victorian police alleged them to have been ?” the reporter inquired. "No, not to the same extent as they previously were. All, those who tried that sort of thing are now in Pentridge.”

Continuing, Detective Lee said that most of the trouble experienced by the police emanated from the younger generation of flash larrikins. “All over the place there are rival, pushes comprised of lawless youths, who need keeping an eye on/’ he said. “In various suburbs bands of wild young hooligans try to have things their own way, but even this stronghold menace is gradually dying down.”