The overall law and order situation saw further improvement in 2005, with a drop in most crimes, in particular robbery, burglary, homicide, serious narcotics offences, snatching, vehicle theft and pick-pocketing, Commissioner Lee Ming-kwai told the news media on January 24.

Reviewing the crime situation in Hong Kong in 2005, he pointed out that the overall crime figure dropped 4.8 per cent from 81,315 cases in 2004 to 77,437 in 2005, with violent crime cases remaining at 13,890.

Compared with the preceding 12 months, last year recorded a substantial drop of 25.1 per cent in robbery, 24.8 per cent in pick-pocketing, 24.4 per cent in homicide, 21.6 per cent in burglary, 17.9 per cent in serious narcotics offences, 15.6 per cent in snatching and 14.7 per cent in vehicle theft.

However, criminal intimidation cases were up by 24.4 per cent, unlawful society offences by 9.2 per cent, indecent assault cases by 9.9 per cent and rape cases by 7.6 per cent.

A total of 4,531 juveniles aged 10 to 15 and 4,780 young persons aged 16 to 20 were arrested for crimes in 2005, a respective drop of 7.5 per cent and 17.8 per cent compared with 2004.

Speaking of the Force's seven Operational Targets for 2006, Mr Lee disclosed that their contents had been revised in line with last year's crime trend and the views of frontline commanders.

He pledged: "The primary duty of the police is to ensure a strong presence of both uniformed and plain-clothed officers, particularly on high-risk premises. We will also promptly and professionally respond to all reports of violent crime, including domestic violence. Police will strengthen intelligence-led actions against criminals and their organised activities by mounting strategic undercover and covert operations where appropriate."

In the fight against triad activities, Mr Lee continued, the Force had strengthened its intelligence network to enhance capability to tackle triad-related crime, and would optimise the use of intelligence and undercover and covert operations to deal a severe blow to the sources of triad income.

Turning to the crackdown on "quick cash crimes", the Commissioner said pick pocketing, snatching, street deception and various theft cases remained the targets for action.

"We will also step up our publicity campaigns to raise public awareness of crime prevention," he noted.

On combating terrorism, Mr Lee said the Force would strengthen its intelligence work, conduct regular exercises and provide timely risk assessments to maintain awareness in the Force and community.

To combat trafficking and abuse of dangerous drugs, police would exchange intelligence and strengthen co-operation with overseas enforcement agencies in stopping the flow of illicit drugs.

Referring to the crimes committed by illegal immigrants and Mainland visitors, Mr Lee said that despite a continuing increase in Mainland visitors, the number of such crimes remained at a low level. Through inter-departmental effort, police would continue to spare no efforts in combating illegal employment and prostitution. A strategic approach would be adopted in addressing crimes on the streets, particularly pick-pocketing and deception.

On road safety, the Commissioner said police would take enforcement action through the "Selective Traffic Enforcement Policy" in accordance with the prevailing accident trends and causation factors to ensure smooth traffic and raise road safety awareness among road users.

He disclosed that the Force formulated in mid-2005 its Strategic Action Plan for the next three years. "Besides maintaining our day-to-day duties of upholding law and order, we will strengthen our ability to deal with contingencies and large-scale events. We will further enhance our co-operation with the Mainland authorities to facilitate mutual exchange and training of officers," he stressed.

As regards human resources management, Mr Lee said the Force strived to ensure value for money and enhance efficiency on human resources management, with a view to improving training and utilising human resources.

"We are also committed to stepping up anti-corruption work and corruption prevention measures to maintain the Force's image of professionalism and integrity," he pledged.

Also attending the law and order review press conference were Deputy Commissioner (Management) Fung Siu-yuen and Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Tang King-shing.