POLICE AND CRIME

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 36, 11 August 1934, Page 10

POLICE AND CRIME

DISCUSSION IN ENGLAND

ROLE OF NEWSPAPERS

The question of the prohibiton of the publication of evidence at preliminary proceedings before a Magistrate was advocated by Mr. T. B. FitzvralterButler (London), in an address to the conference of the Chief Constables' Association at Southport, says the "Manchester Guardian."

Speaking on recent and future development of the criminal law, he said that generally speaking the Press used discretion and restraint in their publication of such matters and safeguards were'provided, such, as a committal for contempt of Court. But thrso safeguards wero only partial, aitJt there was much to be said for the. view that previous publication of evidence which a jury would have to consider later might hinder them from bringing an unbiased mind to bear at the trial. He thought that it would be a wholesome reform if reports of evidence given at preliminary investigations were prohibited altogether, and if the Press were restricted to informing the public that So-and-so had been committed for trial. Further legislation to aid the detection of crimo was advocated by Major M. J. Egau, Chief Constable of.-South-port, in His presidential address to the conference. He said that a committee had been appointed by the Homo Secretary, and they might conclude that a cousiderablo advance in the organisation, coordination, and co-operation .of detcctivo forces would result. In addition to the mattors within their terms of reference ho advocated three enactments designed to restrict the avenues of profitable disposal of stolen property, to empower the police- to compel persons to account for the possession of property which there was reason to believe had been stolen, and to make it more difficult for criminals to secure unlawful possession of motor-cars. NO RESTRICTION. "It is a matter of surprise," said Major Egan, "that any person may without restriction trade in second-hand articles of gold and silver. The recent advance in the value of gold has greatly increased tho number of such traders, and early legislation is a matter of

urgency.''

With regard to the theft of motorcars, Major Egan said that the criminal could provide himself with highlyefficient transport by selecting the speediest and most expensive make of car left unattended in the public street. It was often superior in speed to anything the police possessed. "Has the time not arrived," he asked, "when a legal obligation should bo placed on tho driver of a motor-car to lock the gear lever in the neutral position when ho leaves the motor-car unattended?"

With regard to dangerous driving, Major Egan said that the work of the police was seriously discounted if Magistrates would not impose penalties which would eliminate the dangerous driver and holp to solve the serious problem of road fatalities. Mr. Harri Heap, city analyst of Manchester, spoke of the way in which science could be added to police work. Microscopic measurements, he said, •could bo used for the detection of spurious coins, whilp the determination of water in milk could now be determined by the freezing point of the iluiil.

It was possible by examination of the. blood to say with some success whether a person was inulu or female and the matter was being applied further to the sex of the unborn ohild. With regard to the determination of poisons Mr. Heap remarked, "I think analysts have so elaborately worked out their deductions that it is impossible to provide a new one not delectable."