§ Mr. GEORGE HARDYasked the Home Secretary whether the recent disturbances by persons who demand votes for women have necessitated the temporary withdrawal of many police from the London suburbs; whether there has been an increase of suburban burglaries; whether his attention has been directed to the number of offences of this character that have recently occurred in Wood Vale, Forest 1190 Hill, and adjacent thoroughfares; whether the inability of the police to detect the delinquents is due to the activities of the force in other places; whether the police protection in the district referred to can be increased; and whether he can state the expense of these operations during the last year?
§ Mr. GLADSTONESuburban stations contributed a relatively small proportion of the police drafted in to cope with the recent disturbances. As compared with the figures of 1907 and 1908 there has been in the current year no proportionate increase, but a decrease, in the number of suburban burglaries and housebreakings, and there have been improved results in their detection. The police have not been unsuccessful in dealing with cases of this nature occurring in Wood Vale, Forest Hill and adjoining thoroughfares. It may be added that on the night of the recent demonstration at Westminster there was an entire absence of this class of crime in the district referred to, which, in the opinion of the Commissioner of Police, is adequately policed at present. The cost of moving the police in connection with Suffrage demonstrations during the last year could not be given without a detailed investigation.
§ Mr. G. A. HARDYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there were three attempts at burglaries in this district on that particular day?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEIf my hon. Friend will give me the information I will supplement it.