CAMPAIGN BY POLICE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29383, 9 December 1960, Page 11

CAMPAIGN BY POLICE

Forty-Six Men Charged

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) 'Rec. 9 p.m.) MELBOURNE, December 8.

The Melbourne police vice squad warned parents today that men were procuring teen-age girls in Melbourne for immoral purposes. Sergeant J. Dawes, chief of the squad, said most of the men met the girls in espresso cafes or milk bars. A squad of three policemen had spent six months on a special investigation. Sergeant Dawes said. But they had only ‘‘scratched the surface” of the problem. “The three constables operated in North Melbourne, Carlton, Fitzroy and Brunswick, all inner suburbs," he added. “Forty-six men have been charged.” Sergeant Dawes added: “The problem is staggering. A few years ago it would have taken 10 years to charge so many men. We know the problem is just as bad in at least half a dozen other suburbs. But we haven't the men to pay attention to them.” “90 Per Cent. Migrants”

He said 90 per cent, of the men charged were migrants, mostly Southern Europeans. "The constables found some of these men have never worked at anything but vice since they’ve been here,” he said. “If they go unchecked, we could have a tremendous problem with them, like America did.”

Sergeant Dawes said some teenage girls had been beaten when they refused to work for the men. “The men drove some girls around in panel vans whieh had been fitted like bedrooms,” he added. “We have had to check many such vehicles."

Some men had induced teenage girls to escape from detention homes to work for them. Very often the girls got no more than food and keep. Sergeant Dawes said his investigators found that some espresso bar and milk-bar operators “sold” the girls for vice.

Policewomen have gone to scores of homes and warned parents, about their daughters’ activities. Some parents told the police they had no idea what their daughters had been doing. Inspector J. Webb, who directed the vice squad campaign, said today that wider powers were needed to deport migrants living from vice. "Only the Commoacan deport them.” he said We make recommendations, but they are rarely acted on. Th* people in Canberra don’t seem to realise the extent of the damage ihese men have done.’*