CHRISTCHURCH POLICE

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 50

CHRISTCHURCH POLICE

DECREASE. IN NUMBER ON DUTY. UNDETECTED CRIME. CHRISTCHURCH, September 29. “Retrenchment in the Police Force has reached the danger mark,” sa.ys the Star. "To-day, though the city is almost full of various kinds of vagrants and undesirables, only two constables are on actual beat duty. To-night, eight men, under one sergeant, will patrol ali the blocks between the four belts. A casual glance at the Police Court reports shows plainly that offences against property are increasing at an alarming rate. Last week an influx -of bad characters set in from the North Island, ostensibly looking for work. These men are still coming in. ’ ’ “We cannot- look after them,” said a police officer this morning. "The force is below its normal strength, and the work 's heavier than ever. Less than a year ago there were 12 constables and two sergeants on night duty. Now the number is nine If a big row occurred in the daytime near the square or the railway station or any of the main streets, only two constables would be free to join in. If the ro-.v developed extra men would have to be summoned from their beds or desks.” There is no evidence of the Government deliberately reducing the Police Force personnel. The trouble is that recruits are not corning forward in large enough numbers to fill the gaps. They are attracted by the pay, but scared by the hours. Another drawback is discipline. Young recruits often find it so irksome that at the end of a month they are more that! ready to quit. The official report shows that in one year 82 men left the force and 84 joined. Country districts are always clamouring for more protection, and occasionally they are served at the expense of the cities. Even at full strength, however, there is only about one policeman to every 1500 people in New Zealand. It is hardly a wonder that crimes against property are reported every day. and many of the offenders go unpunished. Scores of small thefts are never reported to the police, and raids on washing, fowlliouses, and vegetable gardens go on without interruption. Bicycles vanish from private stands, and motor car parts are lifted in broad daylight. The conditions are growing worse instead of better. On all sides there is a demand for increased police protection.