BANDITS ABROAD

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 206, 25 August 1932, Page 5

BANDITS ABROAD

IN MERRIE ENGLAND IMPUDENCE AND DARING LONDON, Aug. 18. The Home Office’s legal advisers are conferring on methods for strengthening the Firearms Act in order to check bandits. It is believed that a short measure will be introduced Into Parliament at the earliest possible opportunity. The authorities are not favourable towards generally arming the police, but unless the outrages diminish, it is expected that the police will be enabled to compete on more equal terms with the raiders, who daily give fresh instances of their impudence and daring. There were two motor raids last night, one at Bethnal Green, where a jeweller fruitlessly emptied his revolver at a motor-car. At Herne Hill neighbours, hearing the smashing of a jeweller’s window, bombarded the bandits with crockery, flowerpots, boots and walking sticks. The bandits retaliated by flinging motor tools and escaped in a car with £5OO worth of jewellery. The Automobile Association’s warning to members to refuse to halt when asked for assistance in view of the bogus appeals is causing a controversy, opponents declaring that it destroys the chivalry of the road. A police officer suggests that motorists should keep a spanner or truncheon handy. Others are purchasing air pistols.