CRIME IN NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23977, 18 June 1943, Page 3

CRIME IN NEW ZEALAND

POLICE COMMISSIONER’S REPORT From Our Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, June 17. A decrease in crime is shown in the annual report of the Commissioner of Police (Mr D. J. Cummings). The number of offences reported during the year was 34,608, a decrease of 3818 on last year. The percentage of offences to population was 2.0 against 2.35 in the previous year. One class of offence which the report shows to have increased is sly grog selling. The number of cases of selling or exposing liquor for sale without a licence was 225, compared with 100 in the previous year. There were 117 prosecutions for other offences against the provisions of the Licensing Act in force in no-licence districts. The report also records an increase in the number of serious crimes, and in the number of indecent and sexual offences. The percentage of arrests or summonses resulting from offences reported was 88.96 compared with 93.90 in the previous year. One section of the report deals with the criminal registration branch. It shows that finger prints left by offenders committing 43 crimes were identified as belonging to 26 persons, all of whom were convicted. Three unknown deceased persons were identified by finger prints. The finger pr nfs of 43 New Zealand offenders were sent overseas for identification, 17 being identified as persons committing crimes outside New Zealand. From overseas 116 sets of finger prints were received, 18 being identified as those of persons who had committed crimes in New Zealand. The number of firearms accidents increased from 37 to 52, 16 being fatal. The oldest person injured was aged 88 and the youngest two years. Sixteen accidents occurred with service rifles, four of them being fatal. Dealing with recruiting the Commissioner says it has been necessary to take men on above the maximum age provided in the regulations, and also men much below the standard of education and physique. The men taken on were given no special training. but attended lectures and were coached by sectional sergeants. With few exceptions they had done exceedingly well.