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กกกก The overall law and order situation saw a further improvement in 2005, with a drop in most crimes, in particular robbery, burglary, homicide, serious narcotics offences, snatching, vehicle theft and pickpocketing, Commissioner of Police Mr Dick Lee Ming-kwai said today (January 24).
Mr Lee was speaking at a press conference to review the crime situation in Hong Kong last year.
Mr Lee said the overall crime figure dropped 4.8% from 81,315 in 2004 to 77,437 in 2005 while the number of violent crime cases remained at 13,890.
In comparison to the preceding 12 months, last year recorded a substantial drop in the total number of robbery (25.1%), burglary (21.6%), homicide (24.4%), serious narcotics offences (17.9%), snatching (15.6%), vehicle theft (14.7%) and pickpocketing (24.8%).
However, the total number of criminal intimidation cases jumped 24.4%, unlawful society offences were up 9.2%, indecent assault cases rose 9.9% and rape cases rose by 7.6%.
Mr Lee also pointed out that there were 4,531 juveniles (aged 10 to 15 years) and 4,780 young persons (aged 16 to 20) arrested for crimes in 2005, a respective drop of 7.5% and 17.8% compared with 2004.
Speaking about the seven operational targets for this year, Mr Lee said their contents were revised commensurate with the crime trend last year and the views of the frontline commanders.
"The primary duty of the Police is to ensure strong police presence, both uniformed and plain-clothed, particularly at high-risk premises. We will also promptly and professionally respond to all reports of violent crime, including domestic violence."
"Police will strengthen intelligence-led operations in targeting criminals and their organised activities by mounting strategic undercover and covert operations where appropriate," he said.
In the fight against triad activities, Mr Lee said Police had strengthened intelligence network to enhance the capacity to address triad-related crime. Police would optimise the use of intelligence and undercover and covert operations to give a severe blow to the sources of triad income.
Turning to the crackdown on "quick cash crimes", the Commissioner said pickpocketing, snatching, street deception and various theft cases remained the combating targets. "We will step up our publicity campaigns on fight crime to enhance public awareness of crime prevention."
On anti-terrorism, Mr Lee said the Force would strengthen intelligence work, conduct regular exercises and provide timely risk assessments to maintain the Force and community awareness in combating acts of terrorism.
To combat trafficking and abuse of dangerous drugs, Mr Lee said Police would maintain effective exchange of intelligence and strengthen co-operation in operations with overseas enforcement agencies to stop the flow of illicit drugs.
In the fight against crimes committed by illegal immigrants and Mainland visitors, he said that despite a continuous increase in the numbers of Mainland visitors, the number of crimes committed by them remained at low level. Through inter-departmental efforts, Police would continue to spare no efforts in combating illegal employment and prostitution. A strategic approach would be adopted in addressing street level crime, particularly pickpocketing and deception.
On road safety front, Mr Lee said Police would take enforcement action through "Selective Traffic Enforcement Policy", commensurate with the prevailing accident trends and causation factors to ensure smooth traffic and to raise road safety awareness of road users.
The Commissioner said the Force had, in mid-2005, formulated its strategic action plan for the next three years. "Apart from keeping up our day-to-day police duties for upholding law and order, we will strengthen our ability to deal with contingencies and large-scale events," he said.
"We will further enhance our co-operation with the Mainland authorities to facilitate mutual exchange and training of officers."
As regards human resources management, Mr Lee stressed that the Force strived to ensure value for money and enhance efficiency on human resources management with a view to better training and utilising human resources.
"We are also committed to stepping up anti-corruption work and corruption preventive measures to keep up the Force's image of professionalism and integrity," he added.
Also attending the press conference to review the law and order situation in 2005 were the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management), Mr Fung Siu-yuen, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Tang King-shing.
Police Report No. 9
Ends/Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:09
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