Police-1959-1960 — Page 39

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