XN000022-1983-12-21 — Page 9

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1983

NEW RULES ON HANDCUFFS PROPOSED

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HANDCUFFS HAVE BEEN USED IN 57 CRIMES COMMITTED IN 1982 AND IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR THOMAS WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WHICH AIMS TO FORBID THE POSSESSION OF HANDCUFFS AND SIMILAR RESTRAINTS.

+THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES OF PEOPLE BEING FOUND BY THE POLICE IN SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, CARRYING ARTICLES WHICH COULD BE USED TO RESTRAIN A VICTIM WHILE HE IS ROBBED OR KIDNAPPED OR HIS HOME IS BURGLED, HE SAID.

+ IT IS THOUGHT DESIRABLE THAT THE POLICE SHOULD HAVE POWER TO ARREST AND CHARGE A PERSON FOUND IN POSSESSION OF SUCH ARTICLES WITHOUT LAWFUL EXCUSE.+

MR THOMAS SAID THE USE OF HANDCUFFS IN SOME 57 CRIMES LAST YEAR AND THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR SUPPORTED THIS VIEW: IT IS DIFFICULT TO ENVISAGE ANY LAWFUL EXCUSE FOR THEIR POSSESSION. THE NEW RULES WILL ALSO COVER THUMBCUFFS AND OTHER ARTICLES MANUFACTURED FOR RESTRAINT.

IF SECTION 17 OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE IS AMENDED AS PROPOSED, IT WILL MEAN THAT ANY PERSON WHO HAS IN HIS POSSESSION ANY SUCH ARTICLES INTENDING TO USE THEM FOR AN UNLAWFUL PURPOSE, OR WHO IS UNABLE TO GIVE A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION OF HIS POSSESSION, WILL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE AND LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5 000 OR TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED UNTIL JANUARY 11.

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SHOPLIFTERS MOSTLY YOUTHS ***

SHOPLIFTING IS A CRIME PRIMARILY COMMITTED BY YOUNG PEOPLE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JE AFFRESON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR JEAFFRESON WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ANDREW SO.

HE SAID THAT, FROM JANUARY 1 TO NOVEMBER 30 THIS YEAR, 2 744 PEOPLE HAD BEEN PROSECUTED FOR THE OFFENCE - COMPARED WITH 2 142 IN 1982 AND 2 216 IN 1981.

STATISTICS ON THE AGE DISTRIBUTION OF THOSE ACTUALLY FOUND GUILTY ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE, HE SAID. THE DISTRICT POLICE SUPERINTENDENT'S DISCRETION SCHEME ALLOWS SUCH OFFICERS TO CAUTION FIRST OFFENDERS AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND 16, PROVIDED THEY ADMIT THE OFFENCE AND PARENTS, OR GUARDIANS, AND THE PERSON AGAINST

IF THESE STATISTICS ARE WHOM THE OFFENCE WAS COMMITTED, AGREE. ADDED TO THOSE FOR THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ACTUALLY PROSECUTED, THEN, BETWEEN JANUARY AND NOVEMBER THIS YEAR. 48 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED, OR CAUTIONED FOR SHOPLIFTING, WERE BETWEEN 12 AND 20 YEARS OF AGE.

/MR JEFFRESON