§ 26. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of known mugging offences which have taken place in the Metropolitan Police area for the last 12 months; what is the number of convictions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. CarrThere is no agreed definition of "mugging". The most relevant figures are those for offences of robbery or assault with intent to rob. The total number of these offences recorded by the 365W Metropolitan police in 1971 were 2,727 and 1,561 in the first six months of 1972. A total of 880 persons were found guilty of robbery or assault with intent to rob in 1971, the latest period for which figures are available. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has arranged for special measures to be taken in those areas where the problem is most serious.