§ 49. Mr. ATTLEEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the increasing number of burglaries in outer London districts; and whether he will strengthen the police force in these areas?
§ Sir J. GILMOURWhile there has been an increase recently in the number of housebreakings, mainly in inner suburban districts, the number of burglaries in both inner and outer parts of the Metropolitan Police District has declined in the last few months. The Commissioner of Police has constantly before him the question of maintaining a proper adjustment between police strength and the incidence of crime, and a considerable re-allocation of police strength to meet altered conditions was recently made.
§ Mr. ATTLEEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been a considerable number of burglaries in the Stanmore area?
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware, and is the hon. Member who put the question aware, that this is not the only way to solve the question of burglaries, but that there are other 747 methods than increasing the police, namely, treating he unemployed decently?