CRIME IN LONDON.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18164, 31 October 1930, Page 6

CRIME IN LONDON.

Scotland Yard, according to a cablegram, is losing its prestige, owing to the number of murder mysteries that have in recent months remained unsolved. Some time ago, as the outcome of revelations in connection with police methods, a commission was set up, and the result of its investigations was that certain practices adopted by the police in their efforts to secure information from suspected persons were rigorously condemned, and regulations were framed defining more-clearly what is permissible and what is not. It is now averred that these regulations have made the detectives ultra-cautious, the result being that capital criminals -are escaping the due reward of their deeds; and Viscount Byng, the Police Commissioner, is being urged to ■ change both men and methods in ordef to restore confidence in Yard, which is said to be passing- through its blackest period since the days of Jack the Ripper. While it is, no doubt, necessary to avoid giving the police too much latitude in their interrogation of suspects-—third degree methods are inexcusable- —it is possible to carry restrictions too far, for it can scarely be gainsaid that in capital offences it is from suspects that the most valuable information can be gleaned, and if they are to be reserved from reasonable interrogation the detectives are heavily handicapped and the criminals’ chances' of escape correspondingly increased. It is disturbing to know that in the London Metropolis there have been in recent months 15 murders committed for which no one lias been brought to book; and if such a stale of affairs continues there will soon be a public outcry, leading probably to the appointment of another commission on police powers and procedure with a view to once more bringing the regulations under review.