§ 57. Mr. Woodburnasked the Postmaster-General what is the total sum estimated to have been lost by robbery from trains, vans and post offices in the last 15 years.
§ Mr. BevinsThe earliest year for which the information requested is available is 1954–55. From 1st April, 1954, to 30th November, 1963, the total gross sum lost in robberies, that is, thefts in which violence was used or threatened, against trains, vans and post offices was £3,079,918, of which £2,595,998 was stolen in the train robbery of 8th August, 1963. In addition £39,074 was lost in the same period in robberies from Post Office staff in the street. The figures quoted include cash and both negotiable and non-negotiable stock and take no account of amounts subsequently recovered.
§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Postmaster-General what further information he has obtained concerning the mail robbery that took place in South Wales in October last; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BevinsInquiries into this theft continue: but so far the identity of the thief or thieves has not been established.
§ Mr. G. Thomasasked the Postmaster-General how many mail bag robberies took place between 20th December, 1963, and 13th January, 1964; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BevinsThere were no robberies, that is, theft in which violence was used or threatened. But the number of reported offences involving letter and parcel mails over the period in question was twenty-nine. Many of these concern bags which had been tampered with in transit. The total value of items lost is expected to be comparatively small. Over the same period the total number of mail bags in circulation would be about thirty million.