HC Deb 25 April 1968 vol 763 cc462-3
31. Mr. Hastings

asked the Postmaster-General what has been the incidence of attacks by thieves on sub-post offices during 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1968, respectively.

Mr. Mason

I am circulating the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hastings

Is not the incidence of these crimes very worrying? Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that an advance of £50 towards the installation of anti-bandit screens, which cost well over £200, is less than generous, particularly since country postmasters are liable for the losses if money is stolen and many such post offices hold up to £7,000 or £8,000?

Mr. Mason

I went through these points earlier. In the crime-prone areas, there has been no increase in the past two years and we have now asked the Home Office to second a police officer to advise us further on security at post offices.

Mr. Lipton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the police officer does not have to buy his own truncheon? Therefore, why should these sub-post-masters have to pay for the "weapons" which they require to defend public money?

Mr. Mason

I heard that point earlier, too. These sub-postmasters are our agents; they took on these post offices knowing full well what some of the dangers and risks were.

Following is the information:

1. Robberies/attempted robberies at sub-post offices (attacks by thieves who use or threaten violence against staff).

Robberies Attempted Robberies (No loss) Total
1964–65 37 45 82
1965–66 59 56 115
1966–67 49 38 87
1967–68 58 48 106

2. Burglary/breaking at sub-post offices (attacks on premises outside office hours not involving violence or threat of violence against staff).

Successful attacks Unsuccessful attacks (No loss) Total
1964–65 217 183 400
1965–66 318 169 487
1966–67 265 138 403
1967–68 279 156 435
41. Mr. Silvester

asked the Postmaster-General how many attacks during working hours were made by thieves on sub-post offices in the Greater London area in 1967 and in 1968; what injuries were sustained by sub-postmasters and their staffs; and what was the total value of the goods stolen.

Mr. Mason

In the London Postal Region, which is larger than the G.L.C. area, 37 and 34, respectively, in the years ending 31st March, 1967, and 31st March, 1968. In 39 attacks there was no injury to staff, in 21 there was slight injury, and in 11 there was more serious injury. Losses totalled £123,000, but this includes the face value of non-negotiable stock.

Mr. Silvester

Although the Postmaster-General has indicated that in many cases there were no serious injuries to staff in that period, is he aware that there is much apprehension amongst the staff of sub-post offices in crime-prone areas? Will he now reconsider the statement he has made twice today to the effect that he will not bear the full cost of the loss as a result of these banditries?

Mr. Mason

I must again reject that suggestion. I cannot say that we will pay the full cost. We have gone a great way in assisting sub-postmasters. This has been agreed by their National Federation. In the area of the London postal region alone there are 1,625 sub-post offices and we are going out of our way to help them. That should be sufficient.