Safe city: Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says law and order in Hong Kong is stable.

Law and order is stable despite a slight increase in minor offences.

Speaking after attending the Fight Crime Committee meeting today, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said the overall crime statistics for the first three quarters of 2003 increased 17.7%. However, the rise has slowed down when compared to the first eight months the year.

He said the increase is mainly due to some minor offences, including theft (31.4%), pickpocketing (92.7%), and theft from vehicles (70.4%).

There has been a continuous fall in violent crimes like robbery (26.7%), homicide (21.6%), rape (32.1%) and triad-related offences (17.6%).

Mr Lee said preventive measures have successfully hindered serious armed robberies.

The overall crime rate among people under 21 also decreased 5.6%. Mr Lee said this reflected the relative effectiveness of anti-youth crime strategies of various organisations.

He said Police will enhance its efforts to fight youth crime and will co-operate with district fight crime committees and various organisations to strengthen liaison with schools to promote fight crime messages.