CRIME IN MELBOURNE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19418, 28 August 1926, Page 11

CRIME IN MELBOURNE.

VIRTUAL REiGN OF TERROR. ROBBERY AND BLACKMAIL. VICTIMS' FEAR OF VENDETTA. [from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY, Aug. 20. Whether the cause he less efficient police or better-organised criminals, Melbourne lias an unenviable criminal record compared with Sydney. This might, not be so much in regard to the numbers of crimes committed, but rather in the inability of the representatives of law and order to eliminate effectively the criminal element and to bring offenders to book. At all events gajigs of armed men, whom the police describe as "men of violent character and dangerous gunmen," have instituted a virtual reign of terror among members of the criminal world in Melbourne and other sections of the community. In the last two or three weeks the police allege, the gangs have held up at the point of revolvers the controllers of large gaming schools in the suburbs, the proprietors of alleged sly-grog shops, and bookmakers and land-salesman, from whom they have demanded heavy toll. The gangs have been working largely on the assumption that, as many of the victims are engaged in unlawful occupations, they will not complain to the police. So terrified have many of their victims become that they.have jumped into motorcars, and sought protection at police headquarters. The police say, however, that many of the victims have been too afraid to report (he "hold-ups," and it is therefore difficult to say exactly to what extent the campaign has been waged. Fear of the Gangs.

Three definite 'hold-ups" have been reported to the police by victims, who have frankly told the police that tkev are afraid of the gangs. Fearing that a vendetta might bo launched against them, die victims have refused to support the police in any action taken. The plan adopted by the gangs is said to bo American in origin. Victims who have Reported this armed blackmail to the poiice have been afterwards assaulted in tho streets.

In one of the cases reported to the police, a gang of four men walked into the office of a land salesman, numod Bruce, in Collins Street and saying they wero " broke," demanded money. Mr. Bruce, with a revolver placed against his. stomach, was forced to put up Jiis hands,, while the gang took £2 in notes from hisi wallet, and his tie-pin from his tie. Mr, Bruce reported the matter to the police, and next day he was accosted by the same men in Collins Streot and asked why he had gone to the police. Ho was then attacked by tho men. In another case, a gang of fivo men went to a houso in South Yarra, and took from a woman there £34 10s ill notes and two diamond rings valued at £IOO each. Her husband, who intervened, was struck oil the side of tlvo head, and his watch and chain were taken. Tho women had £4O hidden in her clothes, but though tho men threatened to strip her, they did not do so and this money, remained untouched. Next night the men returned, but left without securing anything. Helplessness of Police. At tho present juncture, tho police aire rather helpless, as they cannot help tho victims unless tho victims help them. If they can persuade the blackmailed persons to support them, they intend "staging a vigorous fight against this now element in Australian crimo and to tako special measures to prevent tho launching of vendettas among members of tho criminal world.