Surge in OAP criminals as arrests of over-70s rise by a quarter in four years

14 January 2023 , 15:34

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Crime figures among OAPs are up by almost a quarter in four years (Stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)

Police are battling an OAP crime wave as arrests of over-70s soar.

One of those taken into custody was a 98-year-old man accused of theft.

Other offences cited included murder, violent assault, drug dealing, burglary, arson, fraud, sex crimes and shoplifting.

Figures obtained by the Sunday Mirror found 3,486 suspects aged over 70 were detained in 2022.

That is up by almost a quarter in four years, from 2,845 in 2018.

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The figures come from 29 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales. The remaining 14 did not reply to our Freedom of Information request.

That suggests the real tally could be more than 5,000 – equivalent to around 14 OAP arrests every single day.

Barrie Bray admitted dealing drugs from his laundrette business in Workington, Cumbria (Newsquest)

John Cusack pleaded guilty to drink-driving (Newcastle Chronicle)

Last year, officers in Wales arrested an 80-year-old man on suspicion of growing cannabis. Gwent Police also held a man of 71 for burglary and possession of a blade in a public place.

Meanwhile in London, the Met took a man in his late 70s into custody for possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. A woman of the same age was arrested for assaulting a police officer.

City of London Police took a 98-year-old into custody for alleged theft.

And in Derbyshire an 85-year-old man was held for supplying cannabis – while in Dorset a 76-year-old man was detained for burglary and an 82-year-old man was held for receiving stolen goods. Among the over-70s convicted was Barrie Bray, 75, who admitted dealing drugs from his laundrette business in Workington, Cumbria.

He was given a 15-month suspended prison sentence for possessing £23,831 worth of amphetamine and £9,000 worth of diazepam tablets with intent to supply, plus a further charge of supplying diazepam.

Meanwhile, drink-driving pensioner John Cusack was caught for the second time in four years in September.

The 75-year-old, from Blakelaw in Newcastle, was banned for three years after pleading guilty to the offence.

David Spencer, of the Centre for Crime Prevention, said: “It’s deeply worrying to see so many older people being forced to turn to a life of crime.

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“Whether by choice or necessity, it’s imperative older people have support and don’t feel crime is their only option.”

Nicola Small