H.—l6
2
Criminal Statistics. The criminal statistics (Appendix A) deal with offences reported to the police during the year ended 31st December last, and show an aggregate net increase of 415 on the figures of 1920. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-04 per cent., as against 2-09 the previous year. The principal increases during the, year appear under the following headings, viz. : — Assault (indecent) .. .. ..44 Failing to maintain wives and families .. 264False pretences .. .. . . 154 Stowing away on ships .. . . .. 56 House or shop breaking. . .. .. 168 Selling liquor after closing-hours . . .. 51 Receiving stolen goods .. .. ..33 Supplying liquor to persons under twenty-one Breach of the peace . . .. 43 years .. .. .. .. 70 Indecent exposure . . . . 60 Being found on lioensed premises after hours 307 Vagrancy offences . . . . ... 126 There were decreases in the following : — Assault (common) .. .. .. 57 i Using profane, indecent, or obscene language 105 Mischief .. .. . . .. 124 Embezzling cargo .. . . 41 Drunkenness .. .. .. .. 307 Breach of prohibition order . . .. 279 - The following return shows the number of offences reported in each police, district during the year, the number of cases in which arrests or summonses resulted, and the number in which no prosecution followed : —
The percentage of arrests or summonses resulting from offences reported during the, year 1921 was 94-36, the figures of the preceding year being 9468. Serious Crimes. The following is a return of the number of serious crimes as compared with the previous year : —
Police District. Number of Offences Number of , in which Arrests Offences reported. or Summonses resulted. Number in which no Arrests or Summonses resulted. I Whangarei Auckland Hamilton Gisborne Napierg-gTO 1 New Plymouth ... Wanganui Palmerston North Wellington Greymouth Christchuroh Timaru Dunedin Invercargill 874 841 5,082 4,904 2,055 1,943 1,001 982 1,393 1,342 711 678 1,181 1,107 1,387 1,320 5,192 4,834 1,196 1,173 3,553 3,192 877 815 1,349 1,247 700 676 33 178 112 19 51 33 74 67 358 23 361 62 102 24 Totals 26,551 25,054 26,551 25,054 1,497
1920. 19 21. Crimes. I vr.._i i Number of ntZlf Ounces in Offences w h Arrests reported. Number of Offences reported. I Number of Offences in which Arrests resulted. I I I Arson Robbery and aggravated robbery Burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c. Forgery and uttering Murder Murder, attempted ... 16 15 21 16 573 446 149 127 13 12 8 8 4 4 91 91 4 4 19 10 717 169 10 4 12 124 5 17 7 539 162 8 4 10 124 5 Rape Receiving stolen property Wounding with intent Totals ... 879 723 1,070 876