Page 169 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

17
were investigated by the Police. During the year under review there were two fatal
iicoidontR and 20 accidents were investigated.
The reductions in accidents may be ascribed to the following reasons :—
1. Annual medical examination of drivers of public vehicles.
2. Stricter surveillance of cars by police and traffic patrols on the main
roads.
3. The imposition of “baffles” on cars plying for hire regulating their speed.
4. The one way traffic system in Manama. In the past most of the accidents
were in the Municipal areas.
5. Speed limits on certain roads.
The number of motor vehicles registered during the year was 475, the num­
ber of licensed drivers is 753 and 78 new drivers were tested in 1357.
3. Crime.
(a) There have been very few serious crimes during the year. The most
important cases dealt with by the police were the charges against people who took
part in the agitation and disturbances during Ramadan. Persons were convicted in
this connection in the Bahrain and Agency courts.
A murder took place in Hedd, a girl was drowned by her father, for the usual
reason, but the father escaped arrest and took refuge in Qattar. The reputation of
Hedd, as being a place where women are frequently murdered, is notorious.
Altogether 591 persons were charged with criminal offences during the year
of whom 302 were foreigners and 289 were Bahrain subjects. The cases are sum­
marised as follows :—
Cases of violence 393
theft 101
miscellaneous 21
Persons convicted 502
discharged 89

The number of criminal cases, in a State whose population is thought to be
about 150,000, is unusually small.
(b) Liquor.
There is a steady increase in drunkenness. The sale of eau de cologne was
forbidden as it was being used as liquor but in spite of regulations and precautions
whiskey, arak, and methylated spirit are obtainable in Bahrain by people who know
where to go to get them. The high price which is willingly paid for whiskey is a
strong incentive to persons holding liquor permits to sell a bottle or two. It is
difficult for the Police to deal with this matter as drinking is carried on inside private
houses by people who are in positon to ensure against being overlooked or interrupted.
4. General.
During the absence of the Adviser on summer leave Mr. W. B. Steele, State
Engineer, was in command of the Police.
A police launch equipped with a 75 H.P. “Kelvin” Recardo Engine was built
during the year. The launch is used for coastal patrol work and for plying between
Bahrain and Hawar.

A barbed wire fence was built around the Fort at Hawar and several of the
water cisterns were repaired.
Shaikh Khalifah bin Shaikh Mohamed bin Isa completed a course of training
at the Police Training College at Nasik preparatory to serving in the State Police.