In Britain, the Second World War created new opportunities for crime. The crime rate rose by 57% between 1939 and 1945. The blackout meant all indoor lights had to be hidden by dark curtains or other means. Street lights were switched off or dimmed, so German planes could not spot British cities from the air. But the dark streets also encouraged burglary. German bombing meant looting became widespread.
In 1940, the death penalty was introduced for looting, although nobody was actually executed. Bombed buildings were often looted, especially shops. People also stole rings and other valuables from dead bodies. They also stole from the living. In London, people used the Underground stations as bomb shelters. Thieves would wait till people fell asleep, then steal their bags. There were also pickpockets operating among the crowds.
Another crime was fraud. People were given some compensation if they owned a house and it was bombed. Some people falsely claimed their house had been bombed. Because so many houses were being damaged or destroyed, it was initially difficult to process claims. However, the government began checking more carefully in 1941. A man named Walter Handy had claimed to have been bombed 19 times. He was given a 3-year prison sentence. The murder rate also increased by 22% in Britain during the Second World War.
