was due to the high incidence of juvenile crime recorded in the early months of 1959. The number of juveniles aged 16 years and under arrested for serious crime was 879 or 6.6% of the total arrests for the year. Comparative figures for the preceding year were 601 (5.8%). Included in the figures were 2 arrested for robbery, 16 for Indecent Assault and 42 for membership of triad societies.
112. Further breakdown reveals that of the 879 young persons arrested, 257 were aged 11 years or under, 412 were in the 12 - 14 years age group, the remaining 210 being aged 15-16 years. At the end of the period 854 convictions were recorded, and an analysis of these showed that 71.5% of the juvenile crime was committed in Kowloon district, 23.5% in Hong Kong Island, and 5% in the New Territories and Marine districts.
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ASSISTANCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
113. Members of the public rendered valuable assistance in the apprehension of offenders. During the year, 788 persons responsible for serious crimes were arrested by members of the public, often at great personal risk and by persons entirely unconnected with the particular offence. In ceremonies held at Police Headquarters, letters of apprecia- tion and monetary awards were presented to sixty three citizens for outstanding service to the community.
POLICE/PRESS RELATIONS
114. Relations between the police and the press were maintained during the year through the Government Public Relations Office. A C.I.D. officer was available as a Police Liaison Officer to the Public Relations Office at all times.
115. Routine releases were made on each working day, and during the year under review 288 releases were made containing information in respect of 2,486 crimes, traffic accidents or incidents of public interest. In addition, the Liaison Officer commented, when possible, through the Public Relations Office, on other matters of police/public interest at the request of any newspaper or news organization.
116. The press in general were very co-operative, and on many occasions during the year published articles and photographs at the request of the police. These articles frequently resulted in the rapid location of witnesses, missing persons and the owners of stolen property.
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