The number of over-65s convicted of a crime reached 5,500 last year, an increase of 85% on 1996, according to public prosecution department figures quoted by news agency Novum.

The increase is only partly because there are more pensioners now than 12 years ago, Novum says.
Pensioners are most likely to face prosecution for drink driving or leaving the scene of an accident, but theft and violence are also common offences, the figures show.