§ MR. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, since the Metropolitan Police have been withdrawn from the nightly supervision of inclosed gardens, complaints have been made to the Police Authorities that those places have been used by burglars as a base of operations; and, whether the Chief Commissioner proposes to take any, and what, steps in the matter?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I am informed by the Chief Commissioner of Police that no complaints, such as those suggested, have been made to him. The Reports of the Superintendents show that the withdrawal of men on beat from private grounds has not led to an increase of crime; and the Chief Commissioner is of opinion that this withdrawal has greatly conduced to the safety of the public and their property.