CRIME WAVE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10377, 7 April 1927, Page 5

CRIME WAVE

BURGLARY RECRUDESCENCE.

CYCLES OF LAWLESSNESS

POLICE SUPERINTENDENT’S • VIEWS.

(Special to the Times.) - ■ ; AUCKLAND, April 6. Crime aga'.nst property goes hand in glove with times of financial stress,” said Superintendent Wohlmann, in a statement regarding the frequency of burglary and theft in Auckland during the last few weeks. ‘lt comes in waves, and when there is an increase in theft, there is a decrease in drunkenness and offences attributable. to insobriety,” lie added. Supt. Wohlmanri remarked that extensive unemployment always drove the weaker members of the community to seek comfort or luxury by a life of crime. Prosperity was heralded by more drinking and attendant vio < nee wh'le burglary decreased. Burglary, such as was now prevalent in Auckland, was generally the. work of “birds of passage, •’ -who “worked” the city until detection threatened them. At the end of last year there had been an epidemic of burglary in Auckland, said Supt. Wolilmann. It had died-rut alter a few weeks, and recurred in Wellington and Christchurch in turn A nests had been made in the South and there was again a lull in the activities of the thieves. The crime wave had now returned to Auckland. BURGLARIES IN CITY. AUCKLAND, April 6. A wave of burglaries is at present passing over Auckland. Several business premises in the City and the suburbs and a few private residences have been entered, lately. Three shops were entered on Tuesday night but in every case only small sums of money were taken.—P.A.