§ 25. Sir B. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Metropolitan Police are taking to deal with the stealing of lorries together with their contents, which has become widespread; whether he is satisfied that the penalties that may be imposed on those who help in various ways are adequate for this type of crime; and what proportion of criminals responsible for the robberies which have taken place have been caught in the last five years.
§ Mr. BrookeIt is primarily the responsibility of the owner to protect the contents of his vehicles against theft, but the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis is paying particular attention to this increasing problem. The maximum penalties for this type of offence 634 range from 5 years' to 14 years' imprisonment. I do not think it necessary to increase them. Subject to the maximum provided by the law, the penalty to be imposed in any particular case is a matter entirely within the discretion of the court. Separate statistics of arrests made are available only for larcenies from goods vehicles and from 1961 onwards. With permission, I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir B. JannerWill the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that the chairman of one of the sessions has stated that "hi-jacking" is becoming a very big industry? Although I agree that the penalties within the limits he has mentioned are sufficient, in view of the seriousness of the position will he give some indication that heavier penalties should be imposed?
§ Mr. BrookeThe position is very serious, but the hon. Gentleman knows well that it is not for me to make any recommendations to the courts as to the use of their discretion within the maximum penalties permitted by Parliament.
§ Following are the figures:
| LARCENCIES FROM GOODS VEHICLES | ||
| Year | Number of cases reported | Arrests |
| 1961 | 4,316 | 295 |
| 1962 | 5,005 | 268 |
| 1963(to 30th April, 1963) | 1,696 | 62 |