Not much has been done on research and writing on the history of crimes in colonial Malaya. Therefore,this study aimed to elaborate and discuss about the history of criminal activities and behaviours in the StraitsSettlements (Penang, Melaka and Singapore) since the end of 19th century until the period of World War II.Some of the crimes that often occurred were crimes on property and crimes on human beings. Thus, this studyattempted to examine the major factors that had led to all these crimes and investigated on what the Englishcolonial administration had done in order to overcome the problem. In addition, this study also looked intocriminal activities that had been done by the multi-racial local citizens who had and practised different culturesand religions in Singapore, Melaka and also Penang. The main question of this study is that whether thereare close ties and causal relationship between the occurrence of crimes and the economic development in theStraits Settlements. In addition, this study also attempted to explain whether those crimes could be linked withthe presence of the Chinese immigrants who had caused significant social and economic change in the StraitsSettlements. Last but not least, this study also tried to explain the aspects that influenced the occurrence ofcrimes, apart from identifying the English colonial administration’s efforts in handling the problem.