The overall law and order situation in Hong Kong remained stable in 2011 with a slight drop in the overall crime figure, Commissioner Tsang Wai-hung said at a press conference on January 17.

Reviewing the crime situation last year, Mr Tsang added that a total of 75 936 cases of crime were recorded, representing a slight drop compared with the 75 965 cases in 2010. The detection rate was 42.5 per cent, similar to the 42.8 per cent in 2010.

A total of 13 100 cases of violent crime were recorded last year, a drop of three per cent compared with 2010.

Noting that while most categories of crime recorded a fall, Mr Tsang said the crimes with cases on the rise were deception, pickpocketing, miscellaneous theft and criminal damage.

A total of 6 134 cases of deception were reported in 2011, an increase of 482 cases or 8.5 per cent over 2010. Increase was mainly seen in online business fraud, which was up by 265 cases to 888.

As regard telephone deception, 2011 saw a decrease by 103 cases to 1 916, the result of enhanced publicity and enforcement actions.

"Apart from establishing dedicated teams to investigate such cases, educational publicity will continue in order to raise public awareness of these crimes. We will also work closely with overseas enforcement agencies to target syndicates involved in cross boundary online business frauds," Mr Tsang said.

A total of 1 583 pickpocketing cases were recorded in 2011, an increase of 183 cases or 13.1 per cent compared with 2010. Miscellaneous thefts increased by 1 070 cases to 20 128, a rise of 5.6 per cent compared with 2010. Around 70 per cent or 14 202 cases involved inadequate attention to property, an increase of 583 cases over 2010. There were also 2 339 metal theft cases, an increase of 525 cases compared with 2010.

In criminal damage, 2011 saw a total of 7 057 reports, an increase of 243 or 3.6 per cent over 2010. The overall increase was mainly related to the 2011 District Council Election.

Mr Tsang also pointed out that decreases were recorded in theft from vehicle (down 18.8 per cent), shop theft (down 2.6 per cent), wounding and serious assault (down 3.3 per cent), and burglary (down 3.5 per cent).

A total of 17 homicides were reported in 2011, a decrease of 18 cases or 51.4 per cent compared with 2010. The majority of the cases were related to family or domestic violence. Sixteen cases were detected, in which the culprits were known to the victims.

A total of 731 robbery cases were recorded in 2011, a decrease of 47 over 2010. And there was no robbery involving genuine firearms. "This figure is the lowest since 1969," Mr Tsang noted.

"However, in respect of street robbery, over 60 per cent or 158 of the arrested persons were aged under 21. The cases committed by them were mainly bullying their peers and taking away their properties. To tackle this problem, Police have stepped up enforcement action and patrol at locations frequented by young people," Mr Tsang added.

Serious drug cases totalled 2 045 in 2011, a drop of 151 cases or 6.9 per cent compared with 2010. As a result of enhanced enforcement actions by Police and Customs and Excise Department at immigration control points, substantial increases were recorded in seizures of heroin (up 102 kg or 150 per cent), cannabis (up 35 kg or 320 per cent), ketamine (up 112 kg or 68 per cent) and cocaine (up 217 kg or 39 per cent).

In addition, police neutralised a South American drug trafficking syndicate and seized 567 kg of cocaine in Tuen Mun in September 2011.

"Police will continue to adopt a multi-disciplinary and inter-departmental approach and enhance international co-operation for combatting drug problems. We will strive to interdict illicit drug flow into Hong Kong, reduce the demand for drugs in the local market, and investigate and confiscate drug proceeds.

"We will also continue to lobby for new legislation, seek enhanced sentencing for convicted offenders and promote educational publicity against drug abuse, especially that among the youth," Mr Tsang said.

A total of 1 928 cases of domestic violence were recorded in 2011, a drop of 229 cases or 10.6 per cent over 2010.

Turning to juvenile crimes, Mr Tsang said 7 693 young people under the age of 21 were arrested in 2011, a decrease of 138 compared with 2010. The offences they had committed were mainly wounding and serious assault, shop theft, miscellaneous theft, and serious drug offences.

The Commissioner also took the opportunity to introduce the Force's Strategic Directions and Strategic Action Plan for 2012-2014, as well as the Commissioner's Operational Priorities for 2012.

The Strategic Directions cover engaging the community; enhancing the personal and professional qualities of Force members; strengthening criminal intelligence gathering force-wide; and supporting frontline units. The Strategic Action Plan comprises 16 key projects in support of the Strategic Directions.

The Commissioner's Operational Priorities for this year cover violent crime, triads, syndicated and organised crime, dangerous drugs, quick cash crime, technology crime, public safety and terrorism.

In 2012, Police will continue to deter violence and combat criminal activities, especially those involving firearms or explosive devices; target street gangs, in particular those involving young persons, and to investigate all reports of domestic violence.

Police will also proactively identify and target personalities and activities associated with syndicated crime at local, cross boundary and transnational levels. Proactive measures will be taken to investigate the proceeds of crime and money-laundering activities.

In combatting dangerous drugs, the Force will continue to enhance co-operation with overseas law enforcement agencies to interdict illicit drug flow into Hong Kong; proactively target drug traffickers, especially those exploiting minors and juveniles; and to adopt a multi-agency and community-based approach to promote anti-drug awareness among students and juveniles.

For quick cash crime, the Force will also target Internet deception activities, apart from pickpocketing, miscellaneous theft, street deception and telephone deception.

Technology crime is also a newly added priority for 2012. The Force will focus on three aspects - professional investigation, strengthening co-operation and intelligence sharing with overseas law enforcement agencies , and promote public awareness of computer and cyber security with a multi-agency approach.

For addressing increasing fatal accidents arising from cycling, an additional priority on public safety is promoting safe cycling with a multi-agency approach. In addition, the Force will continue to implement anti-terrorism measures in three main fields, namely prevention, protection and preparedness.

In conclusion, Mr Tsang said: "Public support for and participation in crime prevention remains a key factor for maintaining law and order in 2011.

"I hope the public will continue to support and assist us in fulfilling our responsibilities of maintaining law and order and ensuring Hong Kong remains one of the safest cities in the world."