Most Thefts Committed By Persons Under 20

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28451, 4 December 1957, Page 9

Most Thefts Committed By Persons Under 20

<N«u* Zealand PresK AMociatirm)

WELLINGTON. December 3. Figure? issued by the Police Department of offences committed in the four main centres between July and September this year show that two-thirds of the thefts were committed by persons under 70 years of age and that marry burglaries and thefts were invited by property owners' carelessness. Of persons arrested for all types of theft and dishonesty, 52 were between the ages of 10 and 19 years. Investigating 510 enterings of property, the police found that in 131 cases the thieves had entered through unlocked doors' and windows. Figures of straightout thefts show that in 80 per rent, of the cases property was fpft unlocked or - otherwise un : guarded by owners. The Controljer-General of Police *Mr S. T. Barnett) said that although the figures must be regarded as tentative, they provided evidence that there was much to be done by both the police and the public to prevent crime. •'lt is becoming more apparent ! that the police should give more' 1 emphasis to prevention among juveniles and adolescents." said Mr Barnett. “Our figures confirm that many: nf the common breaking offences j have been contributed to by what i In some cases, amounts to gross negligence on the part of property owners.** said Mr Barnett. "If those in charge of property, and valuables ensured that doors end windows were adequately secured, offences against properties in New Zealand might well drop by 10 or 20 per cent, immediately. "And if car owners took the same precautions, more than 50 per cent, nf all conversions would be prevented. This saving would

amount to some £lOO.OOO in cars, s: and in property stolen from I parked cars.” t| The figures. derived from r i "modus operand!’' returns in ’ Auckland. Wellington. Christtjchurch, and Dunedin, are-as fol- ', lows: 1 Breaking and entering: Houses :. 149 <B7 with unlocked doors or 1 windows <; shops and offices, 279 I <2B>: counting-houses. 57 <lot■ I warehouses. 22 <5l: schools 1 (0> ; churches. 2 (0). Total, 510 <l3l/. t Persons arrested on dishonesty t charges numbered 78. By age i groups, numbers weke: 10-19 52- - 20-29. 11; 30-39, 11; 40 and over r The main avenues of theft were: = From residences, hotels, etc. 282 - cases of cash valued at £4825 and property valued at £7933; from f parked cars. 233, £1143, £7791I from shops. 234. £2221. £4313; I from places of employment. 77. £ 1244. £2823: from places of re- = creation, 88, £2458, £1559. >