‘Strong Action’ Against Crime

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31052, 6 May 1966, Page 1

‘Strong Action’ Against Crime

Strong action against Christchurch criminals, particularly sneak thieves, burglars, and car converters, will be taken by the police, according to Detective Superintendent F. A. Gordon, head of the Christchurch C. 1.8.

The surge in burglaries, thefts, unlawful taking, and interfering with cars was not peculiar to Christchurch but was common to all the main centres, Mr Gordon said yesterday. “The marked increase in April of crimes of dishonesty in Christchurch indicates that the activities of criminals have reached the stage where the police face a problem that requires strong action,” Mr Gordon said. “Most prevalent in April were sneak thieves and petty burglars. These accounted for 85 thefts from parked cars of

property valued at £2150, and 124 burglaries involving property stolen to the value of £4280. In addition, 41 vehicles were unlawfully taken, the total value being £22,750. “Of the burglaries, 68 were of business premises and 56 of houses or flats. “The value of property stolen suggests that there are active criminals prepared to live by crime and trafficking in stolen property. The action we contemplate will be directed towards curbing these activities,” Mr Gordon said. “It will necessitate extra activity and hours of duty by the police, but the dangerous trend of the criminal element in Christchurch not only justifies strong action but also makes it very necessary,” he said.