HK sees more crime in Q1

May 15, 2023

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung:

Regarding the increase in the number of crimes (in the first quarter of this year), basically, there are two major reasons.

First of all, (there was) an upsurge (in) deception cases, which is about 65% higher than the same period last year. 

And the second reason is because, for the first three months of last year (when) the COVID-19 (epidemic) was at its highest, there (were) stringent social distancing measures (in place) and there (were) not many people on the streets. So that is the reason why cases like robbery, burglary and theft - that normally happen in the streets - the number had been significantly reduced in the first three months of last year. And some of those crimes, in fact, (had) reached the lowest since we had such records.

Actually, when we look at the crime figures, discounting the deception cases, the crime situation of the first quarter of this year is more or less the same as what (it was) in 2019, ie before the COVID-19 situation.

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The number of crimes reported in the first quarter of 2023 was 20,584 cases, representing a year-on year increase of 48.4%, while the overall detection rate was 28.3%, Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung announced today.

Meeting the media after the Fight Crime Committee meeting this afternoon, the security chief outlined the reasons behind what caused the crime rate to climb.

He noted that 8,886 deception cases were logged during the quarter, which accounts for over 40% of the total number of crimes.

This figure represents a 65% increase compared with the same period last year.

Mr Tang pointed out that the increase in the crime rate is also associated with the COVID-19 epidemic, particularly when strict social distancing measures came to an end.

“For the first three months of last year when the COVID-19 epidemic was at its highest, there were stringent social distancing measures in place and there were not many people on the streets. So that is the reason why cases like robbery, burglary and theft - that normally happen in the streets - the number had been significantly reduced in the first three months of last year.

“Discounting the deception cases, the crime situation of the first quarter of this year is more or less the same as what it was in 2019, ie before the COVID-19 situation.”