HC Deb 10 December 1942 vol 385 cc1693-4
44. Mr. Mort

asked the Home Secretary the number of people prosecuted for pilfering from multiple stores over a recent period and the number in a comparable pre-war period?

Mr. H. Morrison

The records kept for the purpose of criminal statistics do not distinguish between the different kinds of shops from which goods are pilfered, and I regret, therefore, that I am unable to furnish my hon. Friend with the information for which he asks. In the Metropolitan Police District 2,029 offences of larceny from shops and stalls were reported in the period from 1st January to 30th November, 1942, whereas 1,424 such offences were reported in the corresponding period of the year 1938.

referred to. Information as to the numbers of each class of prisoner at each establishment on that date is being obtained, and I will forward these particulars to the hon. Member as soon as they are available.

Following is the answer:

Mr. Mort

As the Minister will agree that there has been an increase in pilfering, does not that increase justify some measures being taken to protect the goods at these stores, as this is a great temptation to people in these days?

Mr. Morrison

It is the case that in the recent experience of the Metropolitan Police there has been an increase. There are, of course, special difficulties in packing and so on at this moment, but I can assure my hon. Friend that anything the police can do I shall encourage them to do.