RACKETEERING IN ENGLAND

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 252, 21 July 1934, Page 18

RACKETEERING IN ENGLAND

Yard Declares War ,0n Gangs

A great police drive to stamp out the menace of organised gangdom'is to take place shortly in all part® of the country. 1 The. “Sunday Chronicle” learns that the position, has become so serious that many people who refuse'to ipay a’regular levy toward the gang’s incomes are going about in.fear of their lives. . Blackmail, the collection of “protection” money,' the organisation of burglaries, smash and grab raids, and holdups are the chief activities of these criminal groups. Razors, bottles, knuckle-dusters, 'and black-jacks are among their favourite weapons. t ! Under jbe guise of “service”, book; makers and punters are to-day forced,to buy Immunity from personal violence or

interference with their business. The amount demanded from each individual is : not, large, but the total collections run into high figures. ’• The men behind these activities live on a luxurious scale. They drive splendid cars, frequent expensive West End hotels and are apparently .far removed .from the criminal underworld. . ■" Shopkeepers and distributive organisations are being brought into line. The method is to approach the victim with information that an accident “is •going to happen.” It can. be prevented if payment is forthoming. r ' He pays, and thereafter is-* levied regularly. ' Restaurant and cafe proprietors are similarly Informed that a disturbance may occur on their premises.