HC Deb 24 July 1952 vol 504 cc752-3
48. Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of stabbing have occurred since the beginning of 1952; how the number compares with previous years; and what were the different kinds of instruments used.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I regret that this information is not available. I have, however, ascertained that during the first six months of this year 27 cases of stabbing were known to the police in the Metropolitan Police district. In most of these cases the weapon used was a knife of one sort or another, but in a few cases a dagger was used, and in one case a bayonet.

Mr. Ian Harvey

Has my right hon and learned Friend taken into consideration the stabs in the back received by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition?

49. Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes of violence have been notified to the police in England and Wales during the 12 months ended 31st May; how many offenders were brought before the courts; how many received sentences of over two years' imprisonment; and what were the corresponding figures for the 12 months ended 31st May, 1937.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

This information is not available for the precise periods asked for, but I am circulating in the OFFICIAL. REPORT certain statistics for the years 1951 and 1936.

Mr. Crouch

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware of the public alarm at the number of crimes of violence occurring at the present time, and can he state what additional steps may be taken to try to prevent this wave of crimes?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

This is a question which I have very much, and constantly, in mind.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will the Home Secretary have a word with the Lord Chief Justice about this, too?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I shall take into account all expressions of opinion.

Following are the statistics: During 1951, 7,188 offences of murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, wounding, indictable assault, robbery and rape were known to the police in England and Wales. Four thousand two hundred and seventy-four persons were found guilty of such offences, and of those persons convicted at assizes and quarter sessions, 269 were sentenced to preventive detention or to imprisonment or corrective training for more than two years. In 1936, 2,533 such offences were known to the police. One thousand four hundred and twenty-two persons were found guilty of such offences. Sixty-eight of the persons convicted at assizes and quarter sessions were sentenced to penal servitude for three years or more.