A YEAR'S CRIME IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1419, 20 April 1912, Page 12

A YEAR'S CRIME IN BRITAIN

WORK OF CHILDREN'S COURTS,

Although the volumo of crime in Britain snowed a considerable reduction in 1910 as compared with 1909 and 1908, it remained much abovo the. average of recent years, both absolutely and in proportion to population. According to tho annual criminal statistics for England and Wales the total number of persons tried for indictable offences in 1910 was 66,389. This is 761 less than in 1909 and 1727 below the aggregate for 150S; but is higher than in any previous year for which figures are available. Offences against the person increased from 2053 iu 1909 to 2751, the average number for the five years 1905 to 1009 being 2089. Offences of violence fell from 1495 to 1316, but sexual offences rose from 1158 (o 1135, an increase of 277, or 21 per cent. This apparent increase was, however, due, in part at least, to changes in criminal law and procedure, llurglary and houssbrcaking and robbery remained stationary, but larcenies and frauds diminished by about ICOO. Tho only other change in tho figures colling for notice is the increase in tho number of persons tried for uttering counterfeit coins—l7l, as against 121 in 1909. In the interval between 1893 and 1910 tho total has exceeded 100 in only four years, the highest figures being. 121/ in 1905 and 1903. Statistics of indictable offences and nonindictable offences of a criminal character —assaults, cruelty to children, malicious injuries, etc.—compare as follows with those for the preceding five years:— Criminal nonindictable indictable offences. offences. Total. 1905 01,163 85,139 140,002 IMB 59,079 82,201 141,343 1907 ', 61,381 79,862 141,213 1908 68,116 80,132 148,248 1909 07,150 74,399 141,519 Annual average 1905-9... 63,438 80,359 143,797 1910 66,389 73,105 139,494 Excluding persons not actually tried, tho proportion of convictions in courts of assizo and quarter sessions was 84.40 per cent. Out of 2C6 eases heard by the Court of Criminal Appe.il, tho conviction or sentence, was amnned in 171 cases, and in eight-threo the conviction or sentence was quashed, while eight appeals were abandoned. One of the most instructive soetions ot tho report is that dealing with juvenile offenders. The total number brought' before tho Juvenile Courts in 1910 was 33.595, namely, 10,410 children, 15,051 young persons, and 2131 persons aged above sixteen. Deducting the last category, and adding 537 children and 2083 young persons dealt with by ordinary courts of summarv jurisdiction, wo get a total of 31.057 juvenile offenders (10,953 children and 17,131 young persons). This is less than 5 i«r cent, of tho whole number of persons proceeded against for criminal offences.

Tho figures under this head confirm tlio generally received opinion that' juvenile delinquency is mainly confined to tho male sax. Tho 33,598 persons brought before Juvenile Courts included only 1809 females, or less than G per cent. Among persons dealt with by ordinary Courts of summary jurisdiction the proportion of females is nearly If! per cent. Nearly all the offences committed by juvenile offenders fall under ft fow headings. As might be expected, they consist chiefly of potty thefts, acts of mischief, disorderly behaviour, vagrancy (begging, etc.), and gaming in public places. There is a marked discrimination in favour of tho defendant in juvenile cases, ns compared with cases of adult offenders. Of tho 33,598 persons brought before Juvenile Court", 5328 (or IK per cent.) were acquitted, orders without conviction wcro mado against 15,135 persons (or -15 nor cent.), and only 13,078 persons (or 39 per cent.) were convicted. Of tho iJ.MS youthful defendants who wcro found culpable but wero not "convicted," 7912 wore dismissed (in somo cases being ordered to pay damages or costs), 2570 were ordered to enter into recognisances, 35GS wore placed under the supervision of probation officers, 10M were sent to industrial schools, and 35 were placed in the care of relatives.