MORE OFFENCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 165, 15 July 1938, Page 4

MORE OFFENCES.

THE POLICE REPORT.

MANY ARRESTS MADE.

CRIME IN MEW ZEALAND. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. During the year 1937 offences reported to the police showed an aggregate net increase of 3181 on the figures for 1936, states the annual report on the Police Force of the Dominion which was presented to the House of Representatives. The proportion of offence* to the population was 2.41 per cent, compared with 2.23 per cent during the previous year. The total number of offences ceported -was 38,629, and the percentage of arrests or summonses resulting was 93.39, a slight increase on the previous year. There were 1448 serious offences reported and 1133 arrests, compared with 1372 and .1064 respectively in 1936. Indecent and eexual offences increased from 559 in 1936 to 617, and prosecutions for drunkenness increased by 363, the total charged being 4549. There were 681 prosecutions for gaming offences, against 635 in 1936, and prosecution* for bookmaking or in connection with the keeping of gaming houses for the year ended March 31, 1938, totalled 220, 216 being convicted and fined an aggregate of f5064 1/.

"Since the inauguration of the 48-hour week the men feel the benefit of the one. day off during the week, particularly .the men on,- night duty," the report states. '-One night off in a -week breaks the monotony of the dreary cold nights, particularly during the winter months, when constables have to patrol their beate consistently throughout the night with but a half-hour break for supper. The break during the week ie greatly appreciated and makes the men more happy and contented—this tends to greater efficiency."

The superintendent in charge of the Wellington Police District reported that 7616 offences were reported during the year, compared with 6266 for the previous 12 months, an increase of 1350. Of all'the offences reported, 7384 were accounted for by arrests or summonses issued, only 232 offenders being undetected. No eerioue crimes were committed in the district during toe year.