SLIGHT CRIME INCREASE

Putaruru Press, Volume XXVII, Issue 1362, 19 January 1950, Page 4

SLIGHT CRIME INCREASE

ANNUAL POLICE FIGURES Putaruru Good Town Figures from the Putaruru police annual returns of offences for the year 1949 reveal a slight increase of 27 offences, but Putaruru is nevertheless a relatively good place to live in when compared with other towns in New Zealand. A quiet Christmas was reported by the police. / The higher incidence of crime can in part be attributed to the floating population found in such areas of intense development. Thefts accounted for nearly a third of the total number of offences. The following are examples, With comparative figures for 1948: Theft: 1948 26, 1949 46, prosecutions 38; theft from dwellings: 1,1, 0; theft by clerk or servant: 1,0, 0; false pretences: 3,8, 6; house or shop breaking: 3, 15, 12; drunkenness: 7, 11, 11; drunk and disorderly: 2,5, 5; conversion of cars: '3, 4, 4; bookmaking: 4,2, 2; breach of prohibition orders: 5,0, 0; found on licensed premises after closing hours: 2,0, 0; selling liquor without license: 2,3, 3; possession of liquor In vicinity of dance halls, etc.: 14, 22, 22; intoxicated in charge of motor vehicle: 3,1, 1; breaches traffic regulations: 6,5, 5. Totals were: 1948, 123; 1949, 150, with 137 prosecutions and an increase of 27 offences, , The increase of 12 offences of housoftor Shop breaking was partly the result of a visit to Putaruru by escaped prisoners who were later apprehended in Rotorua.