§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why information is not available for the one week ended 9th April, 1971, of the total amount of moneys and valuables stolen in robberies which took place in homes, offices, and banks, and by means of smash and grab raids, and how much of the total proceeds were recovered; and whether he will take the necessary action to keep weekly, monthly or quarterly records of such matters;
(2) whether he will take action to ensure that information of the total amounts of moneys and valuables stolen in robberies from homes, offices and banks and by smash and grab raids, and how much of the total of these proceeds of robberies have subsequently been recovered, is collected and made available in the future.
§ Mr. SharplesCertain relevant information about the Metropolitan Police District is being supplied to the hon. Member. In general, the classifications in the criminal statistics are based on the legal definitions of offences, not on the circumstances of the offences; and my right hon. Friend is not at present satisfied that the extra staff and expenditure which would be needed to record further information would be justified.
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§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give as much information a,; he has available for the longest convenient period of time, about the total amount of moneys and valuables reported to the police as having been stolen in robberies which have taken place in homes, offices and banks, and by means of smash and grab raids; and how much of the total proceeds of these reported robberies has been subsequently recovered.
§ Mr. SharplesThe only information that is readily available relates to the Metropolitan Police District.
Following are the figures.
Year Estimated value of cash and property stolen in robberies in Metropolitan Police District £ thousands Estimated value recovered £ thousands 1965 … 2,000 174 1966 … 1,500 242 1967 … 2,200 254 1968 … 2,400 470 1969 … 2,700 317