Public order has continued to improve, commented Secretary for Security Cheong Kuoc Va Tuesday over a drop of 25.3% of violent crimes records in 2001.

According to the crime statistics, a total of 8,905 reported crimes were recorded in 2001, which is a decrease of 0.2% over the record of 8,885 in 2000.

A significant drop (25.3%) was recorded in violent crimes to a total of 870 cases.

Among the 870 violent crimes, nine were murder cases, a decrease of 18.2%/; robbery has dropped by 27.8% to 398 cases/; arson cases dropped by 16% to 79 and extort cases decreased by 21.6% to 76.

Joint operations had been carried out with other official departments to combat illegal labors and the overstayed visitors in order to safeguard job opportunities for the local residents, said Mr. Cheong. The operations result in the repatriates of 16,060 illegal immigrants and overstayed visitors in 2001, which is a decrease of 2,300 over the previous year.

99 narcotics cases were recorded in 2001, a decrease of 43.8% over 2000, which was a result of strong enforcement taken by the police, said the Secretary.

Mr. Cheong said that 177 juvenile crimes were recorded which involved 256 juveniles in 2001, adding that the authority would continue to study and formulate measures to prevent juvenile crime.

He also assured that the police force is capable to deal with any situation that might arise following the liberalization of gaming industry.

Mr. Cheong projected that the authority would continue to reinforce the cooperation with the security departments of Guangdong province, Hong Kong SAR and other law enforcement agencies around the world.