The number of people aged 70 or older processed for criminal offenses hit a record 32,262 last year, a 10.6-fold increase since officials began compiling such data in 1979, the government said Friday.
The figure in the 2012 white paper on crime covers suspects arrested or subject to other law-enforcement measures for murder, arson, fraud, blackmail and theft. It does not include negligent driving leading to death or injury.
The report says the number of people 65 and older brought up on charges of assault increased 49.5-fold from 1992, while those charged with inflicting bodily injury rose 8.7-fold.