HC Deb 28 February 1888 vol 322 cc1647-8
MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he has received from Mr. Preston, Vestry Clerk of St. Luke's, a detailed statement of the many street robberies in that parish, together with a copy of the Correspondence between the Vestry Clerk and the Commissioners of Police; whether it is true, that in a letter of the 27th January last from the Commissioners it was stated— That the police have done all that can be reasonably required of them; there is nothing to justify any supposition that they are unable to deal with crime in the locality referred to; whether, in reply to that letter on the 8th February, Mr. Preston, the Vestry Clerk, supplied to the Commissioners of Police a second list of street robberies in St. Luke's, to which he has received a reply from one of the Assistant Commissioners, stating, that he— Has to acquaint you that he has made careful inquiry into the statement made by you, which, however, confirms the view previously expressed by him as to the adequacy of the police arrangements in the district; and, if this decision of the Commissioner of Police is accurate, that they decline to take any further precautions for the protection of life and property in the parish of St. Luke, will he institute an investigation into the statements of the Vestry, and see that the necessary protection is afforded to the inhabitants?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)

Yes, Sir; I have received such a communication. The letters of the Commissioner of the 27th of January and the 8th of February were in the terms quoted. The Chief Commissioner, after careful inquiry, has come to the conclusion that the state of crime in the locality is, on the whole, normal; that, except in two or three cases, the offenders have been apprehended; that, under these circumstances, the police of the locality are sufficient to protect the public. I will make further inquiry into the statements of the Vestry with a view to secure necessary protection to the inhabitants.