Last year's violent crimes lowest in 27 years
The number of violent crime reports in 2001
fell by 8.5 per cent when compared with 2000, representing the lowest
figure in 27 years while the number of burglaries also fell by 3.6 per
cent which is the lowest in 21 years.
Commissioner Tsang Yam-pui revealed this at a press conference on
January 17 to review the crime situation in Hong Kong last year.
He said the number of overall crimes decreased by 5.5 per cent in 2001,
whilst violent crime reports fell by 8.5 per cent which was the lowest in
27 years. In particular, robberies, woundings and serious assaults
decreased significantly.
The number of burglaries also fell by 3.6 per cent - the lowest in 21
years. Snatching, pickpocketing, miscellaneous thefts, number of stolen
vehicles, crimes relating to debt collection and computer-related crimes
also recorded a decrease.
Mr Tsang noted that vigorous enforcement actions against the abuse of
psychotropic drugs and suppression of organised crime and triad activities
also met with success.
Enforcement actions have led to the closure of four of the major dance
venues and 2,504 people arrested for drug-related offences; and a total of
2,472 persons were arrested for triad related offences.
'At the same time, Police devoted great efforts in fighting
cross-boundary organised crimes. Hong Kong Police will in March 2002 host
an international conference on transnational organised crime which will be
attended by prominent members of law enforcement agencies from across the
Globe,' Mr Tsang said.
'Notwithstanding these very positive results, there were isolated
incidents which raised concern and required our prompt action. These
include the murders of a Police Constable in March and a bank guard in
December, as well as the armed attack on two Police Constables in May.
'Whilst Police continue to make every effort to bring the culprits to
justice, it is important to note that these are isolated incidents and not
indicative of any significant increase in firearms related offences,' he
stressed.
There were 54 bank robberies last year, most of which occurred in the
latter half of the year. Lone opportunists who mostly handed in
threatening notes to demand money committed these offences. After the
detection of 32 cases by Police with nine persons arrested, the problem
was contained towards the end of the year.
Mr Tsang added:'Last year, there were 66 homicides. It is also worthy
of note that over 40 per cent of these homicides arose from domestic
incidents, including tragic circumstances where parents murdered their
children before taking their own lives. Our detection rate for homicide
remains very high at 72.7 per cent.'
On public order, a total of 2,347 public order events were held last
year, which were 283 more than those in 2000. Most of them were conducted
smoothly with Police assistance. Police had also conducted very successful
large-scale operations to facilitate three major international economic
forums held in Hong Kong during the course of the year.
On the management side, Mr Tsang noted that the Force had laid special
emphasis on further improving training, information technology
development, equipment and image of the officers.
With regard to internal communications, he said a series of measures
had been implemented, including frequent and regular informal meetings
between management and junior officers.'We have also extended our Intranet
POINT as a new medium of communication, and the results are encouraging.'
He noted that a Three-year Strategic Action Plan starting this year has
been developed. The top priority for this year is to maintain a strong
uniformed Police presence on the streets to suppress the occurrence of
violent crimes.
Violent crime statistics