The number of motor vehicles recovered during the year was 1,685; 1,418 being motor cars and 267 motor cycles. The declared value of these vehicles, as far as known, was £92,655. For the Metropolitan Police District alone the figures were as follow:— Stolen:-1,197 motor cars of the declared value of £58,206 Recovered:-1,131 motor cars of a total value of £56,704. The total numbers of motor vehicles stolen and recovered in the Metropolitan Police District show the considerable increases of 419 and 472 respectively over the figures of 1926. Investigation shows that the majority of the thefts would not have occurred had the persons leaving the cars unattended in the streets taken some steps to prevent their removal. The observations in my last report under this head still apply. It is regretted that they appear to have received little, if any, consideration from motorists. Finger Print Branch.-The sets of finger-prints in the collection number over 431,000. Nearly 13,000 sets were added during the year. Of 35,917 sets received for search, 17,427 were identified as being the prints of persons already recorded in the collection. In 1926 the figures were 36,586 and 16,832 respectively. Over 61,000 finger-print records were received from various sources and dealt with by the Branch during the year. The number of identifications of finger-prints found at the scenes of crime substantially exceeded that for 1926 and the number of articles sent to the Branch for investigation was larger than ever before. Since 1901-when the finger print system was introduced268,074 identifications have been effected. Criminal Record Office.-From the 1st January, 1927 the "Police Gazette" has been published daily, instead of thrice weekly as formerly. The change has had the effect of connecting more closely all police forces in combating crime and criminals. The "Crime Index "-a system by which persons habitually engaged in crime may be identified by their methods, peculiarities, etc.-continues to be of great value in detective work and is growing in importance. Interchange with the Colonies and foreign police forces of information as to criminals continues to increase. General. The body of detective officers which has become known as the "Flying Squad" has been augmented and equipped with motor cars to enable it to cope more effectively with the activities of criminals, especially those who themselves use motor vehicles in committing offences. Excellent results have ensued, and still greater success is hoped for in the future. Difficulty has always been experienced in connection with cases of blackmail (extortion by threats), the victim being generally unwilling to prosecute because of the exposure likely to ensue. In three such cases, however, which were heard in the Courts in 1927, nine persons were charged with the crimes and heavy sentences were imposed. The action of the Courts in causing the suppression of the victim's identity is an incentive to complainants to take action in these cases. Mention may be made of the fact that, in addition to the apprehensions effected for provincial and continental police forces, over 6,200 enquiries were made on their behalf by the Criminal Investigation Department during 1927. Apprehensions and Summonses.-There were 66,349 apprehensions during the year, or 2,504 fewer than in 1926. Figures in regard to indictable offences are referred to elsewhere. So far as non-indictable offences are concerned, a small decrease has to be recorded. Statistics for most offences reveal little change, but it may be mentioned that there were again fewer persons charged with drunkenness, while arrests for soliciting prostitution and for cruelty to animals have increased. The number of summonses issued at the instance of Police again shows a large increase, the total of 104,869 being 15,279 in excess of that for 1926. Motoring offences are largely responsible for this, the number of summonses having risen by 11,705 in the year. Figures appearing in the Statistical Tables show that in 1924 42,729 summonses for this class of offence were taken out, and that in 1927 the corresponding figure was 79,834. Having regard to the importance of the subject, a Table (No. 6) giving some particulars of the offences committed has been added. Drunkenness. As stated above, a decrease is again reported as regards proceedings for drunkenness, the total figure, 30,123 being 1,887 less than that for 1926. The actual convictions number 27,154 (21,177 males and 5,977 females), as compared with 28,857 (22,631 males and 6,226 females) in the previous year. Cases regarded by magistrates as proved and dealt with under the Probation of Offenders Act decreased by 129, the number being 1,735. Methylated Spirit.-Convictions for drunkenness attributable to the drinking of methylated spirit were 38-25 males and 13 females which is only one less than those for 1926, when 22 males and 17 females were similarly convicted. Licensed Premises.-Statistics dealing with premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor record that there are 7,895 “on and off" and 3,411 "off" licences. The number of licences in respect of theatres is 75, and those for wine and spirit dealers total 284. These show little change from previous years. Permitted hours.-The variations in "permitted hours" in different parts of the District continue to be a source of trouble. This is a matter to which attention has been drawn in more than one previous report. Clubs. A further increase in the number of registered clubs has to be noted, there being 1,792 on 31st December as compared with 1,750 in 1926. Breaches of the law relating to liquor in clubs continue to be a source of much trouble to the Police. In many cases the difficulty of securing evidence upon which action can be taken is very great, although the fact that the law is being broken is perfectly well known. Successful proceedings have however been taken in 57 cases, and in 46 of these the clubs were struck off the Register. The approximate amount of fines and costs imposed was £6,850. This large increase is to some extent accounted for by the fact that six fewer sentences of imprisonment were passed on principals, fines being imposed instead. I remain of the opinion that fines, however heavy, will never serve as a deterrent in this class of case. A feature of the "Night-Club " business is the frequency with which the proprietors or managers are aliens. All-Night Cafés.-All-night cafés appear to be increasing in number and are a source of trouble to police as they are liable to become the rendezvous of prostitutes and other undesirable characters. Special attention has been given to these places and proceedings taken when evidence of a breach of the law has been obtained. Betting and Gaming. During the year there were 2,643 convictions following arrests for betting offences, with fines amounting to £20,158. Many of the persons prosecuted are found to be liable to proceedings for non-registration as bookmakers, or non-payment of the new betting duty. Arrangements are made, wherever possible, for the hearing by the Courts of cases under the Finance Act, 1926, simultaneously with the betting cases to which they relate. A marked feature of the year has been the great interest shown in greyhound racing. Four tracks have been opened in the District and others are in process of preparation. I have had occasion in the past to comment on the use of automatic machines for purposes of gaming. The matter continues to give rise to trouble, and decisions by the Courts have not had very much effect, since, when one form of machine or game has been condemned, others slightly different have taken its place. Street Collections.-The number of street collections authorized during the year was 297 against 367 in 1926. As in the latter year, the great majority of these were small local collections. The total amount collected was £225,564, as against £239,354 in 1926, and the average cost of collection was 121 per cent. against 131 per cent. in 1926. The decrease of 70 in the number of collections was principally due to the amended regulations, which provide for the holding of collections at stationary positions only. Moneylenders.-The necessary enquiries regarding applicants for certificates under the new Act, and the proceedings before the Courts, have thrown a considerable amount of extra work on the Police. Applications have been numerous, but it is too early yet to form any opinion as to the effects of the measure, whether in eliminating undesirable concerns or in restricting their activities. Firearms. The triennial renewal of firearm certificates, most of which were issued on the passing of the Firearms Act, 1920, has been completed. With the passage of time the work of renewal will tend to become of a continuous rather than of a periodical character. Aliens. The total number of aliens over 16 years of age shown on the register on 31st December, 1927, was 143,923 as against 157,541 at the close of 1926. About 36 per cent of the total are Russians. The very substantial reduction in the figures by more than 13,000 is due principally to the special check of the register which is still in progress. This check continues to disclose a large number of unreported deaths and departures. During the year, 152 aliens convicted of offences, or otherwise found undesirable, were required to leave the country under Deportation Orders. Continued attention has been paid to the question of the unauthorized employment of aliens. Proceedings for various offences against the Aliens Acts and Order were taken in 434 cases and 337 convictions resulted. In two cases orders for the closing of premises used as restaurants and frequented by aliens, were issued—the alien proprietors having been convicted of offences in connection with their business. Traffic.-Round-about Systems.-During the past year only one additional round-about system has been put into operation, namely at Sloane Square, which, by reason of its formation, has proved an ideal spot for this form of traffic control. It is, in fact, the only instance in which it has been possible to eliminate every cut and hold-up of traffic. This and the round-about systems previously introduced at Parliament Square, the Victoria Memorial, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park Corner, and Marble Arch have continued to work satisfactorily. In many of them improvements have been made, such as the rounding of corners, the re-siting of old and the provision of new refuges, the erection of "Cross Here" notices, and the re-adjustment of white lines. The opposition which was experienced from certain quarters in the initial stages has gradually diminished and very little complaint is now heard. There seems to have been an impression amongst certain members of the public that the introduction of one-way traffic systems would lead to greatly increased speed of movement and consequently greater danger. This, as has been often stated, was not the intention, and experience shows that it is not the effect. The object was, and is, to reduce to the minimum the actual holding up of traffic and to create a continuous flow at a normal rate. Several other schemes in various parts of the Metropolis have been under consideration and some of these are nearly ready to be put into operation. One-Way Streets.—In addition to the round-about systems, a certain number of new one-way traffic streets have been put into operation and the number will be extended as the needs of traffic demand. White Gauntlets.-The experiments in the use of white gauntlets by Police on traffic duty were successfully concluded and a distribution has been made. White woollen gloves are also being worn during the winter months. White Lines. The employment of white lines continues to be of great assistance in the direction and control of traffic and there can be no doubt that the existence of the lines at dangerous corners, road bends, crossings and traffic points has been the means of preventing many accidents. They are also very helpful in the early days of new one-way and round-about systems. The system is still operated by the Local Authorities in co-operation with the Police and Ministry of Transport. Finality has not yet been reached as to the best material for use as white lines and experiments are still proceeding. Street Works.-Large road works have been carried out during the year, and every effort has been made by close co-operation between the Local and Statutory Authorities and the Police to reduce the attendant inconvenience to the minimum. The most important of these road works was the re-construction of Piccadilly. Here it was necessary to close the whole width of the thoroughfare in sections, and the diversion of the enormous amount of traffic which ordinarily operates through this busy artery was an intricate problem. For the first time in history heavy motor car traffic including omnibuses was, with the permission of H.M. The King, diverted down Constitution Hill and The Mall past Buckingham Palace and through Marlborough Gate. As these roads were not built for heavy traffic and there was risk of damage to the royal buildings, speed was specially restricted and other precautions taken. The work began on 25th July and was completed on the 20th October. This was well within the scheduled time and may be regarded as highly satisfactory in view of the very bad weather experienced. Co-ordination with regard to road maintenance and improvements continues in connection with the half yearly programmes drawn up by the Ministry of Transport, and every effort is made to obviate or reduce as far as possible the congestion and disorganisation of traffic. |