§ 7. Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the Inspectors of Constabulary, in their Annual Report presented on 10th June, 1952, represent public antipathy towards the police as arising from attempts to deal with serious motoring offences; and whether he will take steps to make it clear to the police that such antipathy arises from petty prosecutions.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeIt would be quite wrong for me to interfere with chief officers of police in the execution of their duty to enforce the law; but the remarks of H.M. Inspectors of Constabulary on the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations to which my hon. Friend refers made it clear that the main object of the police was to prevent and deter, rather than to prosecute, and that the police fully appreciated the need for securing co-operation from the public.
§ Mr. ShepherdIs it not clear from paragraphs 89 and 90 of the Report that they apparently do not appreciate the fact that the public want more time devoted to the catching of serious offenders and less to petty prosecutions? Is it not a fact that prosecutions like that instigated by the Chief Constable of Stockport—two prosecutions against people for having flashing indicators—are not the way to get the public co-operation?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeIt is a very difficult problem, which must be left to the chief constables, as to how much of their manpower is devoted to traffic offences; but I should remind my hon. Friend that I have always found this House most sensitive on the question of road safety, and that is an aspect which must be taken into account.