THE number of pensioners arrested for criminal offences has rocketed.

Figures obtained by a Dorset Echo investigation show that the amount of people aged over 70 arrested in West Dorset has risen by 77 per cent since 2007.

Across Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester and Bridport, 30 OAPs were arrested in 2007, 32 in 2008 and 53 in 2009.

And 21 pensioners were arrested in the first few months of this year, according to the most up-to-date figures.

The statistics also indicate that the range of crimes committed has increased.

Arrests in 2007 were made for violence against the person, robbery, theft and those that fell into the category ‘other’ offences.

In 2008 arrests were also made for sexual offences and in 2009 burglary, fraud and forgery, criminal damage and drug related offences were added to the list.

In December last year 80-year-old William Young, from Dorchester, was given a 12-month suspended sentence and given an electronic tag after stealing thousands of pounds from war veterans’ charities.

Young admitted stealing a total of £2,780 from the Dorset British Korean Veteran’s Association (KVA), £4,000 from the Birmingham branch and a further £1,800 from the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA).

Further smaller sums on separate occasions took the total to more than £8,500.

He told police in an interview that he had written cheques to himself as well as pocketing proceeds from charity raffles and other cash.

Member of the KVA Gordon Duggins,said the rise in over 70s committing crime could be down to various factors, including a longer life expectancy and a disregard for the law.

Mr Duggins, 77, said: “It’s probably because younger people are getting away with lots of things so the older generation don’t see the law as a deterrent.

“The law is slack now and there seems to be no respect.

“Having heard the evidence in this case, it had been going on for a long time.

“It was not the case that he was an elderly man who went wrong, he went wrong in the 70s.

“He’s to be pitied – he couldn’t keep his hands away from other people’s pockets.

“In that respect I think he deserved a bit of compassion.”

He added: “I think with other elderly people arrested it’s probably the case that they have been committing crime for a long time.

“It has also probably got something to do with life expectancy.

“There are a lot more people now in their 70s, 80s and even 90s – people are living longer.”

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “The statistics only cover a short period of time and as a result it is not possible to draw any reliable conclusions in terms of any possible trends.

“Dorset Police is committed to investigating crime and people are arrested based on the evidence against them rather than their age.”