35
VIII.-CRIMINAL AND POLICE.
The total of all cases reported to the Police was 13,939 being an increase of 1,697 or 13.86 per cent, as compared with 1921. There was in 1922 an increase in serious offences of 130 or 3.15 per cent, as compared with the previous year. The number of serious offences reported was 38 below the average of the quinquennial period commencing with the year 1918. The number of minor offences reported shows an increase of 1,567 as compared with 1921 and was 2,561 over the average of the quinquennial period.
The total strength of the Police Force in 1922 was Europeans 188, Indians 431, Chinese 762 making a total of 1,381 exclusive of the six superior officers and staff of clerks and coolies. These figures include police paid for by the railway and other Government departments. Of this force 17 Europeans, 118 Indians, and 37 Chinese were stationed in the New Territories during the year.
The District Watchmen Force, numbering 102, to which the Government contributes $2,000 per annum, was well supported by the Chinese during the year. These watchmen patrol the streets in the Chinese quarter of the City. They are placed on police beats and are supervised by the European police on section patrol. A detective branch of the force has done useful work under the supervision of a European Inspector.
The total number of persons committed to Victoria Gaol was 5,014 as compared with 4,990 in 1921. Of these 1,358 were committed for criminal offences against 1,732 in 1921. Of committals for non-criminal offences there were 107 more for hawking without a licence, and 5 more for unlawfully boarding steamers, than in 1921.
The daily average of prisoners confined in the Gaol was 787 the average for 1921 being 764, and the highest previous average being 756 in 1919. The percentage of prisoners to population, according to the daily average of the former and the estimated number of the latter, was 0.12. The average percentage for the last ten years was 0.12. Owing, however, to the large floating population, which is constantly moving between the Colony and Canton, the percentage of crime to population does not convey an accurate idea of the comparative criminality of the residents of the Colony. The Victoria Gaol has accommodation for 700 prisoners including patients in Hospital. The Branch Prison at Laichikok has accommodation for 200 prisoners in association.
The prison discipline was very satisfactory, the average of punishments per prisoner being 0.52 as compared with 12.6 in 1921 and 0.99 in 1920.
Long sentence prisoners serving two years and upwards are taught useful trades, including printing, book-binding, tin-
35
VIII.-CRIMINAL AND POLICE.
The total of all cases reported to the Police was 13,939 being an increase of 1,697 or 13-86 per cent, as compared with 1921. There was in 1922 an increase in serious offences of 130 or 3·15 per cent, as compared with the previous year. The number of serious offences reported was 38 below the average of the quinquennial period commencing with the year 1918. The number of minor offences reported shows an increase of 1,567 as compared with 1921 and was 2,561 over the average of the quinquennial period.
The total strength of the Police Force in 1922 was Europeans 188, Indians 431, Chinese 762 making a total of 1,381 exclusive of the six superior officers and staff of clerks and coolies. These figures include police paid for by the railway and other Government departments. Of this force 17 Europeans, 118 Indians, and 37 . Chinese were stationed in the New Territories during the year.
The District Watchmen Force, numbering 102, to which the Government contributes $2,000 per annum, was well supported by the Chinese during the year. These watchmen patrol the streets in the Chinese quarter of the City. They are placed on police beats and are supervised by the European police on section patrol. A detective branch of the force has done useful work under the supervision of a European Inspector.
The total number of persons committed to Victoria Gaol was 5,014 as compared with 4,990 in 1921. Of these 1,358 were committed for criminal offences against 1,732 in 1921. Of com- mittals for noncriminal offences there were 107 more for hawking without a licence, and 5 more for unlawfully boarding steamers, than in 1921.
The daily average of prisoners confined in the Gaol was 787 the average for 1921 being 764, and the highest previous average being 756 in 1919. The percentage of prisoners to population, according to the daily average of the former and the estimated number of the latter, was 0-12. The average percentage for the last ten years was 0.12. Owing, however, to the large floating population, which is constantly moving between the Colony and Canton, the percentage of crime to population does not convey an accurate idea of the comparative criminality of the residents of the Colony. The Victoria Gaol has accommodation for 700 prisoners including patients in Hospital. The Branch Prison at Laichikok has accommodation for 200 prisoners in association.
The prison discipline was very satisfactory, the average of punishments per prisoner being 0.52 as compared with 12.6 in 1921 and 0.99 in 1920.
Long sentence prisoners serving two years and upwards are taught useful trades, including, printing, book-binding, tin-
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