HC Deb 01 July 1948 vol 452 cc222-3W
14. Mr. Donner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of murders from 14th April up to the most recent date for which particulars are available; and if he will give comparable figures for the same period in 1945, 1946 and 1947 respectively.

Mr. Ede

During the period from 14th April to 31st May this year, there were 28 murders and suspected murders known to the police. During the same period in 1945, 1946 and 1947, there were respectively 16, 20 and 26 such cases.

15. Mr. Donner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the sex and age of the victims in cases of murder and suspected murder between 1st January, 1948, and 14th April and similar particulars for 1945, 1946 and 1947.

Mr. Ede

I regret that I am not in a position to give figures for this period for all the years in question, but I append tables (a) showing the sex and age of victims during the period 14th April to 31st May in 1945, 1946, 1947 and 1948; and (b) giving similar particulars for the whole of the years 1945, 1946 and 1947 and for the period 1st January to 31st May of this year.

MURDER AND SUSPECTED MURDER.
(a) Table showing sex and age of victims during the period 14th April to 31st May in each of the years 1945, 1946, 1947 and 1948.
AGE GROUP. 1945. 1946. 1947. 1948.
Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female. Male Female.
Under 1 year … … — 2 1 1 4 3 2 2
1 year and under 7 years — — 1 1 2 3 2 2
7 years and under 14 years — 3 — 1 1 1 — —
14 years and under 17 years — 1 — — — — — —
17 years and under 21 years — — — — — — — —
21 years and under 30 years — 2 — 1 1 3 3 3
30 years and under 60 years 4 3 6 5 2 6 5 2
60 years and over … — 1 — 3 — — 4 3
TOTAL … … 4 12 8 12 10 16 16 12
GRAND TOTAL … 16 20 26 28
(b) Table showing sex and age of victims for the years 1945, 1946, 1947 and for the period 1st January to 31st May, 1948.
AGE GROUP. 1945. 1946. 1947. 1948 1st January to 31st May
Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female.
Under 1 year … … 19 14 6 11 19 20 8 7
1 year and under 7 years 13 21 8 13 11 12 7 7
7 years and under 14 years — 4 6 5 6 10 4 1
14 years and under 17 years 2 2 1 — — — — —
17 years and under 21 years 1 4 2 6 — 2 — 1
21 years and under 30 years 6 15 6 11 7 20 4 8
30 years and under 60 years 19 35 19 30 12 36 10 5
60 years under over … 7 12 7 13 5 11 9 7
TOTAL … … 67 107 55 89 60 111 42 36
GRAND TOTAL … 174 144 171 78