OFFENCES AGAINST LAWFUL AUTHORITY
128. The drive against triads was continued throughout the year and the majority of offences in this class concerned unlawful societies. There was one case of affray during the year, but no major disturbance.
Unlawful Society and Assembly
129. Prosecutions for membership of unlawful societies totalled 3,521 during the year compared with 3,476 during 1958/59. There were 32 additional offences in respect of unlawful societies, mainly ‘acting as a triad member'. A fuller report on unlawful societies is contained elsewhere in this Report under 'Triad Society Bureau'.
130.
ARRESTS AGE GROUPS
Under 17
17-20
21-30 31-40 41-50
51-69
Over 60 Total
Offences against the Person . Offences against Public Morality
27
62
169
158
68
20
11
515
28
12
39
19
13
5
3
119
Offences against Property
1,170
633
2,260
2,199
1,211
612
109
8,194
Other Serious Crime
4
9
54
73
35
6
1
182
Offences against Lawful Authority
30
257
1,170
1,278
640
166
29
3,570
1.259
973
3.692
3,727 1,967
809
153
12.580
131. During previous years the age group 21 - 30 years produced the greatest number of criminals, but in the year under review, the 31-40 age group provided the highest number of persons arrested for serious crime. Of the 46,667 persons fingerprinted and convicted, first offenders totalled 17,246 or 37% compared with 39% and 43% in the two preceding years.
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
132. From the table of arrests in the preceding paragraph, it may be seen that of the 12,580 persons arrested for serious crime, 1,259 or 10% were under 17 years of age and 973 or 7.7% were aged 17 - 20 years. Comparative figures for the year ending 31st March, 1959 are 879 or 6.6% for juveniles under 17 years of age and 1,099 or 8.3% for young persons aged 17-20 years, 1.170 or 93% of these juveniles were arrested for offences against property, being 14% of total arrests for this class of offence. A breakdown of the more important offences under this heading is shown below:
Number of persons arrested aged:
Total 12-14 15-16
under 17
Breaking Offences
Robbery
Larceny/Person (Snatching)
Larceny/Person (Pickpocket)
27
0-11
17-20 Total
1
7
1
6
17
17
9
48
70
65 a∞
14
14
28
12
20
32
43
22
8
126
22
65
19
145