CRIME WAVE IN AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17742, 19 April 1923, Page 7

CRIME WAVE IN AUSTRALIA.

YOUNG DESPERADOES. (TBOM OTJB OWN COBRESPOKDEirr.) SYDNEY, April 11. A remarkable feature of the crime wave in Australian cities, which continues to be a,serious problem, is the youthfulness of many of the apprehended criminals. Case after case reveals youths in their early 'twenties, and many even in their 'teens, as the perpetrators of desperate crimes, ranging from "breaking and entering and stealing" to robbery under arms. A boy of 18 who was convicted in tne Sydney Quarter Sessions the other day remarked plaintively from the doc* that if there were not so many "receivers'' fewer youths would go wrong. He h'imself had been tempted into tne crime by a shopkeeper who "received. Apparently the young prisoner spoke an important truth, as those who have studied the problem agree that the extraordinary facility with which stolen goods can be disposed of is the greatest incentive to the widespread thefts and burglaries that are constantly beine reported. Only during the past week silks and other goods valued at £jiaaj were removed during the night from the fashionable establishment of K. Hunt and Co., in George street, the robbers having burst open a cellar door at the rear of the premises and cut their way through the floor of the shop. The same night thieves entered the big warehouse of Petersen, Beeson and Co. in York street, and apparently they were disturbed and made off, as goods valued at £2OOO were found the next day piled up ready for removal, but nothing Had beCn taken. All these parts are regularly patrolled by poEee and watchmen, so that, the work of the desperadoes must require much reckless courage, and it is believed that this is responsible for so many youth's being enticed into the traffic. In commenting upon the matter from the Sydney Quarter Sessions Bench during the past week. Judge White said that the number of youthful criminals who had recently been convicted on charges involving penalties un to years' hard labour was extraordinary, and he could not help thinking that the impression was growing among young men that they could commit almost any offence once and trust to the provisions for first offenders to pet them out of trouble if they were caught.