HC Deb 17 April 1958 vol 586 cc346-7
44. Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that there have been several instances of wanton and malicious damage being done to property in Middlesex recently, such as empty houses in Wembley being broken into and wrecked, and a bowling green in Willesden being dug up and the turf ruined; if he is satisfied that the maximum penalties for this kind of hooliganism are sufficient; and if he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that four cases of damage to unoccupied houses in the Wembley area have come to his notice during the past six months. There have been a number of instances of minor damage to property in the Willesden and Harlesden areas, in addition to the damage to the bowling green to which my hon. Friend refers. I have no reason to think that the maximum penalties for this type of offence are inadequate.

Mr. Russell

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that Answer, may I ask him whether he can say how many of the people concerned have been caught? May I also ask him not to rule out the possibility of increasing the penalty if this hooliganism is not stopped?

Mr. Butler

Thanks to the Question put down by my hon. Friend, I have examined all the penalties both on summary conviction and on indictment, and, as far as I can see, they are pretty severe—including the penalties for juveniles. I will, however, keep this matter under review. I have nothing to report about the ability of the police to trace the offenders in this case.