Hong Kong's crime rate fell 3.5%

Violent crime down 5.1%.

According to a report, Hong Kong’s overall crime dropped 3.5% in the first eight months of 2013, compared with the same period last year.

Speaking to the media after the Fight Crime Committee meeting today, Secretary for Security TK Lai said 48,562 crimes were reported from January to August, compared with 50,342 in same period last year.

Violent crime also decreased 5.1% during the period, compared to last year.

Crimes recording year-on-year increases included homicide (216.7%), goldsmith and watch shop robberies (200%), and blackmail (107%).

The increase in homicide cases was due to manslaughter charges against the coxswains in the Lamma Island ferry tragedy, which killed 39 people.

Crimes with significant decreases included robbery with a pistol-like object (-50%), snatching (-22.3%), and burglary (-17.1%).

There were 1,538 cases of serious drug offences, up 7.6%. A total of 650 ecstasy-type tablets were seized – nearly 10 times the count of the previous year – while 108kg of methamphetamine or ‘ice’ was seized, a 176.9% rise.

Juvenile crime fell 15.8% for those aged 10 to 15, while that for 16 to 20-year-olds fell 15.7%.

Mr Lai said Police will strengthen patrols to fight youth crime.