Page 154 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (III)_Neat

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Thefts, smuggling and offences against the price control regulations were the most prevalent
types of cases during the year. There were no crimes of a serious nature. The trial for murder
in which the Police prosecuted concerned an affair on the Trucial Coast. Out of 387 theft cases
which were reported to the Police 145 were taken to court, in 35 cases no charge was framed owing
to insufficient evidence and in 207 cases the offenders could not be traced.
Although the number of cases reported to or dealt with by the Police showed no
striking increase yet the state of public morality and honesty as a whole has definitely deteriorated
during the war years. Thieving has greatly increased, gambling and drinking are rampant and
in spite of the efforts of the authorities war time offenses such as smuggling, profiteering and Black-
Market trading have not been checked. Bahrain used to have a reputation for honesty, thefts were
few and far between and property could safely be left unattended. This pleasant state of security
no longer exists. Pilfering from steamers’ cargoes, from military stores and from oil companies’
premises has assumed serious dimensions, at one time there was an epidemic of housebreaking in
Manama as well as thefts of tyres, batteries and spare parts from cars. There was no unemployment
in Bahrain and the excuse of stealing in order to obtain food could not be made. The attitude of
many of the culprits was that thefts of goods belonging to the services and companies were excusable
because the goods did not belong to an individual. The temptation to steal was increased by the
high prices obtainable for stolen property in the Black-Market both in Bahrain and abroad and the
inadequate measures which were taken for the protection of the property were an incentive to theft.

There has always been gambling in Bahrain but in the past it was on a small scale and restricted
to the towns, now gambling has increased and has spread throughout the country villages. Men
and youths who now have more money than they ever earned before gamble for sums which represent
to them considerable amounts. Many of the secluded mosques among the gardens are now used
as gambling houses. Gambling is a direct incentive to thieving especially in the case of servants.
Drinking and illicit distilling have increased during the last few years. In the past drinking
was confined to a few notorious persons; gradually others followed their example and the habit
began to spread but recently there has been a rapid and noticeable increase in the number of Arabs
who drink liquor. Another habit which may have evil effects upon Bahrain in the future is the use
of opium and hashish. For many years only Persians and Baluchis were known to use these drugs
but now some of the Arabs can be recognised as opium addicts. The import of opium is forbidden
but it is not difficult to conceal it so that it is not detected by the authorities.
More than once during the year the Sheara Kadis have drawn the attention of the Government
to the growing laxity of the people who, according to the Kadis, are beginning openly to disregard
the Islamic rules of living. Action has been taken and the Bahrain Courts have inflicted severe
penalties on Bahrain subjects convicted of drunkenness, being in possession of liquor or manufacturing
liquor and youths caught of gambling have been publicly caned.
The low prices of tea, sugar, textiles and other goods in Bahrain, due to price control, has
encouraged the smuggling of these goods out to neighbouring countries where prices were in some
cases 500 per cent, higher. The Police and Customs officials made a number of captures during
the year but the smugglers who were caught probably represent only a small proportion of those
engaged in smuggling. In many cases the smugglers were financed by influential backers on shore
who regarded heavy fines and the imprisonment of their agents as a small matter in comparison
to the profits which were made. Lack of co-operation by the public in reporting cases to the Police
has aided black market traders and profiteers. A certain number of complaints emanated from the
public but most of these cases originated from Government or Municipal complainants.