§ 4. Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made in the breaking-up of the gangs of young hooligans in the Metropolitan area.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is taking all possible steps to deal with hooliganism by gangs of youths. There has been in the last eighteen months an increase in the number of youths arrested in the Metropolitan Police district for non-indictable offences amounting to hooliganism, but the Commissioner thinks that this increase is due more to an intensification of the attention which the police have been giving to this problem than to any appreciable increase in hooliganism.
§ Mr. ShepherdIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that we are all pleased to hear that the police are pursuing these little bullies with some vigour? It is very desirable that the pressure should be kept on.
§ Dr. StrossIs there any specific reason to account for the increase in the unrest among young people that brings about this gang hooliganism?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI do not know. My recollection—I have not figures before me—is that this sort of crime seems to go up and down, and has nothing to do with age.