§ 11. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the raid on a jeweller's shop in Kensington High Street on 5th November in the middle of the day, when the shop window was broken and jewellery of the value of some £500 was taken, the thieves driving off in a motor car; whether any arrests have been made; and what action is being taken by the police authorities to deal with this and similar recent outrages in London?
Mr. STANLEYMy right hon. Friend understands that the crime in question was committed by three men who used a motor car which had been stolen and was found abandoned later in the day. So far no arrest has been made. It would not be in the public interest to discuss in detail the measures the police have taken and are taking to cope with this serious class of crime. One of such measures is the increased use which is being made of motor vehicles. I am glad to say that the number of offences of this character has considerably decreased since last year.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the Home Office aware of the great and increasing anxiety of the public at the large number of these crimes, and will the Home Office consider the desirability of increasing the penalties for crimes where a motor car is used, as is done in the case of burglaries at certain hours of the day and night?
Mr. STANLEYThe Home Secretary is aware of the anxiety, and I should like to take the opportunity of pointing out that the public would greatly assist the police if they would take reasonable measures to protect, by means of a grille, valuable and portable property displayed in shop windows and, when a crime is committed, doing everything they can to impede the raiders from making their escape.