§ Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many shotguns were used in the course of crimes committed in each of the last five years in the West Mercia police area;
(2) how many crimes involving the use of shotguns were committed in the West Mercia police area in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe numbers of indictable offences known to the police in the West Mercia police area in which the principal weapon used was a shotgun were five in 1969, two in 1970 and one in 1971. The number of shotguns used on each occasion, and figures for earlier years, are not available.
§ Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, 491W of the shotguns used in crimes committed in the West Mercia police area during the last five years, how many were used after being stolen, and of how many the origins were not traced.
§ Mr. CarlisleI am making inquiries of the Chief Constable of West Mercia and shall write to my hon. Friend.