§ 115. Mr. Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that irrespective of the number of crimes of violence now being committed the degree of violence employed is becoming more brutal; that in many districts women and young persons are going in fear of their lives; and what steps does he propose to take to strengthen the authority of the law in view of the greater violence now prevalent.
§ Mr. EdeThe question whether the crimes of violence recently committed involve greater brutality than in the past is a matter of opinion. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that he has no evidence for this suggestion so far as the Metropolitan Police District is concerned. I am aware that differing opinions have been expressed so far as certain other parts of the country are concerned, but I have no information to warrant any modification of the views I have expressed in reply to prevoius Questions as to any suggestion that the law prescribing the penalties for such offences should be amended.
§ 123. Commander Nobleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many robberies, or attempted robberies, with violence occurred in the Metropolitan Police district and the City of London in the six months to September, 1948, and in the corresponding periods in 1946 and 1947.
§ Mr. EdeDuring the six months from 1st March to 31st August, 1948, 136 offences under Section 23 (1) of the Larceny Act, 1916, and 44 offences under the remaining provisions of this Section were known to the Police in the Metropolitan Police district and the City of London. The figures were 108 and 36 during the corresponding period in 1946. and 132 and 39 in 1947.
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