CRIME IN FRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1920, Page 5

CRIME IN FRANCE.

ROBBERY EPIDEMIC. A THOUSAND THIEVES IN PRISON. As in England, steps are being taken in France to deal with the epidemic of robberies and other crimes which have lately been committed with such frequency. The placing of additional motor cars at the disposal of the police has also been found to be necessary, and the number of motor cars allotted to the force has recently been increased, A Bill has now been introduced in tha Chamher providing for the creation of a State police force in all cities of 40,000 or more inhabitants. , Up to the present the municipal police have done their best to cope with the increasing wave oi crime, but, in Paris especially, it has not infrequently occurred that the police have been insufficient to deal with the organised bands of criminals. This has been evident on several Decisions when the police have attempted to arrest motor bandits and gangs of thieves occupied in robbing goods yards. Although no less than a thousand of the latter category are now in prison, the problem of protecting the railway goods stations is a serious one, as the railway companies continue to report considerable losses. The Ministry of War is now studying the creation of a mobile force of gendarmes, who will be available for immediate service in any district where their presence may be necessary.'