Significant decrease in violent crimes, as well as theft, fraud, arson, drug trafficking and juvenile crimes in the first three quarters of 2002 reflect that the MSAR public order remains stable despite a 2.8% increase in overall crime.

Secretary for Security Cheong Kuok Va gave the above remarks on the crime situation on a press conference held today (4 Nov).

Mr. Cheong said that a total of 6,799 cases of crimes were recorded in the first three quarters, a slightly increased of 2.8% over the same period of last year, noting that the increases in crimes against person (by 7.1% or 97 cases) and crimes against property (by 4.5% or 158 cases) were accountable for the increase.

In accordance to the crime statistic figures, increases were recorded in robbery (by 27.8% or 81 cases), loan sharking (by 53.4% or 39 cases) versus the same period last year.

However, violent crimes such as murder and kidnap have dropped significantly by 57.1% or 4 cases and by 50% or 3 cases respectively, at the same time, sharp decreases were also recorded in theft (by 5.3% or 111 cases) and in fraud (by 16.8% or 33 cases).

Due to increased efforts and effective prevention, a decrease of (by 35.9% or 47 cases) in juvenile crime over the same period last year, said Mr. Cheong, adding that the authority will continue to combat illegal activity.

Regarding illegal immigration, 11,453 illegal immigrants or overstayers were repatriated in the first nine months, including 1,030 illegal immigrants (a decrease of versus the same period of last year) from Mainland China and 10,423 persons who had overstayed their visas, representing a drop of 624 cases and an increase of 106 respectively over the last year.

The figures also revealed that during the first three quarters of this year, a total of 2,313 suspects had been arrested and sent to the Public Prosecution Office.