§ 6. Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of youth gangs given to violence known to the police in the Metropolitan area; and what action is being taken to break these up.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is not aware of any organised gangs given to violence, but he tells me that during the nine months ended 30th September last, 77 persons under 21 years of age, and operating in groups of three or more, were arrested in the Metropolitan police district for indictable offences involving violence against the person. The Commissioner is taking special precautions to deal with potential trouble spots and to check hooliganism, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose details of the measures taken.
§ Mr. ShepherdDoes not this statement of the Commissioner seem to conflict with the evidence given in a recent trial which gained publicity? Is it not desirable that, if these gangs do exist, the public should be made aware of them and that attention should be directed towards getting rid of them?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI do not think it would be in the public interest to disclose in advance the steps which are being taken. As to the case, I think I am right in saying that it is still sub judice, so I shall not comment on it.