HC Deb 01 March 1945 vol 408 cc1550-1
37. Sir Reginald Blair

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the average number of motor-cars stolen daily in the Metropolitan Police area during the month of January; the number of thieves apprehended for such thefts; and the number of motor-cars subsequently returned to their owners.

Mr. H. Morrison

The number of motorcars reported as taken or stolen in the Metropolitan Police District in January, 1945, was 630, giving a daily average of about 20. The number recovered and restored to owners was 623, or 98.9 per cent. Twenty-five arrests were made in connection with these offences.

Sir R. Blair

In view of the somewhat alarming figure, could the right hon. Gentleman not ask the police to devote their energies to setting traps, well-baited, rather than speed traps, under the circumstances prevailing at present?

Mr. Morrison

My hon. Friend is using a specious argument to get me to relax the law, and I have no authority to do that.

Mr. Edgar Granville

Is it not a fact that owing to the vigilance and efficiency of the police, most cars are returned to their owners within 24 or 48 hours of being stolen, and would it not assist the police if all owners voluntarily immobilised their cars?

Mr. Morrison

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Is not the explanation of so many cars being recovered so quickly that they are stolen for the petrol, and that the thieves abandon them as soon as the petrol has been extracted?