Hong Kong's crime situation in the past year remained stable and the crime rate continued to stay at a low level, according to the newly released Fight Crime Committee Report.

The rate stood at 1,118 reported crimes per 100,000 population, despite a slight increase in the overall number of crimes by 3.9%.  The overall crime detection rate of 42.7% compared favourably with other major cities.

The number of violent crimes rose by 4.3%, mainly due to the increase in wounding, indecent assault and robbery cases. However, the figure still remained low when compared with 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Both burglary cases and goldsmith/watch shop robberies recorded the lowest figure in the past 23 years. On the other hand, the number of shop thefts and street deception cases rose by 8.7% and 30.2% respectively.

Number of youth offenders going down

As for juvenile and youth crimes, the numbers of offenders arrested dropped by 9.7% and 1.9% respectively when compared to 2001.

For narcotics offences, the arrest of juveniles and young persons under age 21 also plunged 23.2%.

The committee was pleased to note that with the vigorous enforcement actions taken by the Mainland and Hong Kong authorities, there was a downward trend of young persons taking illicit drugs back to Hong Kong from the Mainland.

Copies of the report will be available to the public at various district offices from October 6.