The overall law and order situation remained stable in 2006 with an increase of 4.8 per cent in the overall crime, according to Commissioner Tang King-shing.

Speaking at a news conference on January 25 to review the crime situation in Hong Kong in 2006, Mr Tang said: "During the period, a total of 81,125 cases of crime were recorded, representing a rise of 4.8 per cent when compared with the 77,437 cases in 2005."

The detection rate was 44.6 per cent, a slight increase of 0.3 per cent over 2005, he added.

A total of 14,847 cases of violent crime were recorded in 2006, 6.9 per cent more than the 13,890 cases in 2005.

Noting that there was a higher margin of increase in crimes such as bank robbery (up 53.3 per cent), arson (up 20.6 per cent), serious narcotics offences (up 19.2 per cent), criminal intimidation (up 18.5 per cent) and deception (up 16.7 per cent), Mr Tang stressed that the Force would spare no efforts in fighting these crimes.

Other crimes such as pick pocketing (down 18.4 per cent), blackmail (down 6.3 per cent), robbery (down 6 per cent), snatching (down 8.4 per cent) and burglary (down 3.2 per cent) all recorded a notable decrease.

Mr Tang pointed out that despite an increase in bank robbery in 2006, the total number of robbery cases, in fact, decreased by six per cent to 1,572 cases. During the year, there was only one robbery with genuine firearms and one goldsmith shop robbery, representing a drop of 66.7 per cent and 85.7 per cent respectively.

He went on to say that the number of juveniles (aged 10 to 15) and young persons (aged 16 to 20) arrested for crimes saw a drop of 0.5 per cent and a rise of 4.1 per cent respectively. "The situation remained more or less the same as in 2005," said Mr Tang, adding that the crimes committed by them were mostly miscellaneous and shop theft, wounding and serious assault, etc.

Operational Priorities

Introducing his seven operational priorities for 2007, Mr Tang said they had been revised in line with the crime trend in 2006 and the views of frontline commanders.

"The primary duty of the police is to ensure strong police presence, both uniformed and plain-clothes 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 action against criminals and their organised activities by mounting strategic undercover and covert operations," he noted.

Speaking of the fight against triad activities, Mr Tang said the Force had strengthened intelligence network with the Mainland, Macao, and overseas law enforcement agencies to enhance the capacity to address triad-related crimes. Police would also target triad personalities and activities, including youth gangs, and mounted strategic undercover operations to deal a severe blow to the sources of triad income.

Turning to crackdown on "quick cash crimes", the Commissioner said robbery, snatching, street deception and various theft cases remained the targets for action. "We will step up our publicity campaigns on fighting crime to enhance public awareness of crime prevention."

On anti-terrorism, Mr Tang said the Force would strengthen intelligence work, conduct regular exercises and provide timely risk assessments for major events.

To combat trafficking and abuse of dangerous drugs, Mr Tang said the Force would strengthen co-operation with the Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies to stop the flow of illicit drugs. A multi-agency approach would also be adopted to prevent abuse of drugs, particularly by young people.

Turning to the offences related to visitors and illegal immigrants, Mr Tang said the Force would implement strategies to address theft, pickpocketing and street deception and would also target illegal syndicated activities, prostitution in particular.

On the road safety front, enforcement action would be taken through the "Selective Traffic Enforcement Policy" in line with the prevailing accident trends and causation factors to ensure smooth traffic and the safety of road users.

"We will take stringent enforcement action against reckless drivers and oversee the introduction of additional red-light and speed enforcement camera systems," he added.

Also attending the year-end law and order review were Deputy Commissioner (Management) Fung Siu-yuen and Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Yam Tat-wing.

CP speaks on various law and order issues during the year-end review