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Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, at a media session at Central Government Offices, Tamar, after the Fight Crime Committee meeting this afternoon (May 31):
Reporter: What are the reasons for the increase in the number of robberies? Do you think it is related to the economic downturn?
Secretary for Security: There is an increase in the number of robberies. As far as the police analysis is concerned, we do not see that there is a special reason leading to such kind of increase. We note that all these robberies are not relating to the use of firearms. Some of them may use weapons but the vast majority does not involve the use of weapons. Anyway, we are very cautious. We have already stepped up publicity and also stepped up patrol in various areas.
Reporter: I noticed in the list of statistics that there is no specific section on cybercrime. I am wondering if you have any details on what the trend is on cybercrime in Hong Kong. Secondly, I see there is an increase of domestic violence-related crimes. Why is that so? What has the Government done to make sure the number is in control? Lastly, half of the drugs seized in first four months went up. Why is that so? Are there any measures in place?
Secretary for Security: For the (question on) drugs first, as I said earlier in Cantonese, among all the common drugs, there are certain kinds that had been found increased, while there are drops on the others. I think this is a kind of normal trend. For every quarter, we see some kind of increase and some kind of decrease. But, as a general comment, "ice" has been on the increase. Secondly, you asked about domestic violence. This is a very important topic. The Police have been working very hard on the case of referral and also investigation of the crime, in particular, as I mentioned earlier, there are two murder cases that involved domestic violence. The Police have been using multiple approaches to deal with this kind of cases. On one hand, if there is a crime, they will of course investigate and try to arrest the offender. On the other hand, if there is no criminal element they will refer the case to other government departments for follow-up. The Police take a very serious view on this kind of crime and will try their best to promote, to educate people that they should maintain a good relation with their close relatives. That is very important. For your third question about cybercrime, I do not have the figures here readily available. Perhaps, I'll ask my colleague to provide you with some further information of that.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:02
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