Triad-related crime in the first 10 months of the year made up just 2.8% of overall crime, lower than the 3.5% registered for the same period last year.

Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee told legislators today the figure reflects the effective efforts of Police in fighting triad activity, one of its operational targets.

Mr Lee said 167 reports involving demands for protection money were recorded last year. In the first 10 months of this year, 145 reports were received - one case less than the number registered in the same period last year.

Among the cases, about 60% were successfully detected. This detection rate is higher than the overall detection rate for all crimes, he said.

Report triad activity

"The Police's success in detecting extortion cases in relation to protection money is largely attributed to the willingness of the public to report crime. The high detection rate also reflects that co-operation between citizens and the Police will help bring perpetrators to justice," Mr Lee said.

While the force will take into account the situations of various districts and devise appropriate anti-triad actions accordingly, Mr Lee called on the public, including shop owners, to report to Police as soon as possible if triads bother them.