§ Colonel DAYasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of motor-car thefts in the London area; and whether any special action is being taken by the Metropolitan Police authorities to deal with this problem?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe number of such thefts has increased in the last few years, but nearly all cars which are stolen are cars which have been left unattended in the street, without any precaution being taken to prevent their being driven away. The police are on the alert, but so long as there is so much 2371W carelessness on the part of owners they cannot prevent the commission of the offence. I am happy to say that a considerable proportion of the stolen cars are subsequently recovered.