HC Deb 09 November 1972 vol 845 cc1166-8
4. Mr. Cronin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to reduce the frequency of mugging.

28. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to stamp out mugging in the Metropolitan Police area.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Robert Carr)

I am taking all possible steps to strengthen the police—who form the first line of defence against violent crime of all kinds—and to improve their equipment and efficiency. I understand that chief officers of police, who are responsible for police action to deal with such offences, are taking special measures in a number of areas, and I have asked them for an assessment of the current position and for details of the measures which they are taking.

Mr. Cronin

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in spite of election promises about maintaining law and order, since the present Government took office there has been an increase of violent crime which is much worse than the increase in the cost of living? In view of the widespread fear of being robbed with violence, will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking to make periodic statements indicating the success which the Government are having in combating the situation?

Mr. Carr

I am aware that since the Government came to office a new and rather successful recruitment drive has taken place to strengthen the police. The strength of the police has risen by over 5,000 in the last two years. I am glad to say that recruitment is still proceeding. I am sure that the main course is to pursue detection and increase police strength.

Mr. Lipton

What is the use of the right hon. Gentleman's fine protestations if, as in a case a week or two ago at the Old Bailey—a nasty case of mugging on Streatham Common—the judge awards a suspended sentence? What sort of deterrent will there be if judges disregard the kind of action which the right hon. Gentleman and the police are trying to take?

Mr. Carr

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I cannot possibly comment on individual sentences. Under our system, that is a matter for the courts. However, I have recently noticed some other sentences of a much more severe kind. When I was addressing the Magistrates Association a few week ago I went out of my way to say that I thought the public would expect severe treatment for crimes of violence.

Mr. Marten

Is "mugging" capable of legal definition?

Mr. Carr

I fear that it is not. It is an Americanism, and I cannot define it accurately. I think that what is meant by the term is robbery by gangs of two or more people—usually young people—of citizens walking about in the open.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The right hon. Gentleman has referred to the encouraging rise in recruitment for the police. Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the position is nothing like as encouraging in the Metropolitan area, where there have been many cases of mugging and where wastage among the police is serious?

Secondly, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of increasing foot patrols in areas where mugging is most common?

Lastly, will the right hon. Gentleman discuss with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment the serious effects on young school leavers of prolonged periods of unemployment, a situation which has cropped up in many court cases, in the description of the occupation of young criminals?

Mr. Carr

The hon. lady's first point arises on a later Question, and I shall have something to say about it then. I understand that some police forces are now instituting foot patrols for this purpose. This is one of my reasons for wanting information from all chief constables. I want to find out what they are doing. I completely agree with the hon. Lady that unemployment among the young is a serious factor. That was why my old Department started, on a pilot scale—which I hope will soon be able to be extended—special community service work opportunities for young people.