本文整理1897–1942期間台灣的犯罪相關資料。我們發現暴力犯罪, 如殺人、強盜、縱火等之犯罪率, 在日治初期即大幅減少, 而賭博、竊盜之犯罪率卻不斷在增加中。另方面, 各地區的犯罪情況有明顯的差異。台東花蓮廳之暴力犯罪率(如殺人、縱火) 最高; 台北州的賭博、竊盜之犯罪率則為台灣之最高。

This paper compiles Taiwanese crime statistics for the period 1897–1942.Violent crimes, such as murder, robbery and arson, are found to have decreased significantly at the beginning of Japanese rule. On the other hand,crime rates for gambling and theft increased constantly over time. The crime situation varied greatly among regions. Taitung and Hualien Districts had the highest violent crime rates (including murder and arson), while Taipei Prefecture had the highest crimes rates for gambling and theft.