DRESSED-UP CROOKS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 226, 20 June 1936, Page 22

DRESSED-UP CROOKS

Harder to Catch

While the Police College at Hendon. London, has been producing a new race of clever young sleuths—detectives studied in the arts of crime investigation, taught by wily old inspectors—a new race of criminals has also been born. Science and. the laboratory are helping the new super-detective in his war against crime, but education has come to the aid of the criminal, making him harder than ever to detect. And so the battle of wits goes on. To-day’s young criminals are bolder, . better-dressed and educated, and much less violent than their prototypes of a quarter of a century ago—a startling fact which lias called forth comment from 'Mr. Noel B. Goldie, K.C., M.P.—Manchester’s Recorder. The artist in crime witli brain enough to dress like a real artist, when he robs, say, a house in Hampstead or Chelsea; or like a city businessman with spats, bowler and neatly rolled umbrella, when he rifles a mansion flat in Clapham or Stamford Hill, would never be recognised as a crook. He can out-stare even the most suspicious detective, and stand a good chance of getting away witli it. With a jemmy concealed up his sleeve he can walk calmly up to a door and prise it open. lie is clever, enough to wear gloves and use liltle tricks of disguise. One famous crime investigator considered there was real danger in the present situation. “Every crook has received some, education to-day,” be said, “and he needs only 'to move , around to gain all the culture and finish he needs. In days past the doors of fashionable hotels and restaurants were' closed to people below a certain standard. Now they are more or less open to any type Who can pass muster in the matter of dress and can afford to pay a little extra for their drinks. I have seen many wellknown crooks at Mayfair gambling parties, outshining most of the other guests in the brilliance of their wit, and the immaculate cut of their clothes. I have known famous forgers who actually dined with peers, dukes and Indian'colonels to find out how much their victims had in ready cash at their banks.”