31 JANUARY 1936, Page 19

LOITERING WITH INTENT

[To the Editor of Tux SPECTATOR.] SI11,—My experience as a Justice of the Peace leads me to conclusions similar to those indicated by Miss Craven.

There is, however, one change which is a matter, I believe, of administration rather than legislation which if made effective might be very beneficial. Not infrequently the polite arrest innocent persons who are brought to Court and are promptly discharged—it being evident that the police are quite aware that no case can be made. In such cases I think the police should have power, with the consent of the accused, to discharge them and thus spare them the ignominy and publicity of being placed in the dock.—Yours, &c.,