LOOTING IN LONDON

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21230, 28 September 1940, Page 10

LOOTING IN LONDON

OFFENDERS SENT TO GAOL THEFT FROM DEAD WOMAN SCOTLAND YARD ACTIVE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 27 Twenty-five cases of stealing from bombed premises have been heard in the London Courts, including some classed as looting, which is a capital offence under the defence regulations. Sentences ranged up to three months’ hard labour. The accused in three cases were committed for trial. An air raid worker was committed for trial on a charge of stealing a cigarette case from a woman who was killed by a bomb. Sixteen demolition workers were sentenced to terms varying from a fortnight’s imprisonment to three months for stealing .a tobacconist’s stock. A soldier was sentenced for stuffing into his pockets six bottles of wine after helping the police to control crowds outside a bombed house. Scotland Yard has organised antilooting detective squads to act in conjunction with the Flying Squads against looters, and they will tour the bombed areas immediately after the “ All Clear ” signal. Another Scotland Yard problem is the organised stealing of meat for resale at cut prices. Six carcases disappeared from one market in one day.