Safe city: Commissioner of Police Dick Lee tells the media that crime fell 8% last year.

Law and order improved in 2004 with falls in most crimes, particularly homicide, robbery, burglary and snatching.

In his year-end review today, Commissioner of Police Dick Lee said crime cases fell 8% to 81,315, while the number of violent crimes fell 4.5% to 13,890.

There were fewer robberies (30.4%), homicides (13.5%) and burglaries (22.9%). Through effective enforcement strategies, snatching cases fell 3.5%. But serious narcotics offences, criminal intimidations and rapes grew 1.2%, 22.7% and 31.4%.

"In 2004, the overall crime situation showed continuous improvement," Mr Lee said.

Reviewing the seven operational targets set earlier last year, Mr Lee said one was to maintain the fight against violent crime.

"Police are highly concerned about cases involving firearms. Through intelligence-based strategies, we will bring the culprits to justice prior to their committing crimes with the use of firearms," he said.

"On the interdiction of the influx of firearms, we will enhance intelligence exchange and maintain close co-operation with Mainland, Macau and overseas enforcement agencies with a view to preventing serious crimes from occurring."

Active enforcement

On triads, Mr Lee said the force has intensified its intelligence network, continued with strategic undercover operations, taken proactive action against target triad personalities and activities, and established a criminal investigation network within Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau to tackle triad-related cross-boundary crime.

On quick-cash crimes, he said Police patrol blackspots, utilising intelligence in taking proactive action against target criminals and enhancing public awareness against theft and other crime.

And Mr Lee said that in policing major events, officers pay particular attention to the fight against terrorism, apart from maintaining general law and order.

"Police will maintain effective exchange of intelligence with Mainland and overseas enforcement agencies, analyse intelligence collected and provide timely details of risk assessment," he said.

The force will conduct regular exercises to test contingency plans and counter terrorism capabilities and maintain the awareness of the public in helping Police.

On drug trafficking, Mr Lee said top priority is to interdict the influx of drugs and the strategies deployed include the fight against drug sources, distribution networks and cutting off syndicates' financial support.

On crimes committed by illegal immigrants and Mainland visitors, Mr Lee said Police have set up an inter-departmental unit with the Immigration, Correctional Services, Customs & Excise, Food & Environmental Hygiene, Lands and Labour Departments to formulate a three-pronged strategy.

"Police will further intensify raids and enforcement action, with emphasis on illegal employment and prostitution," he said.

On road safety, Mr Lee said enforcement of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Policy has been enhanced and education and publicity campaigns stepped up. Last year, the number of accidents grew 3.8% to 14,987 and there were 19,345 people injured or killed, up 5.7%. However, this was mainly due to a rise in the number of minor accidents and there was a drop in the number of accidents resulting in deaths and serious injuries.

Renewed vibrancy

Looking ahead, Mr Lee said Hong Kong's economic recovery will bring renewed vibrancy to the city.

"The year to come will see Police facing many new challenges, such as the Rugby Sevens in March, the Lions Club International Conference in June, the opening of Disneyland in September and the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in December," he said.

"These coupled with the increase in the number of Mainland visitors and corporate-sponsored exhibitions and sports events, will surely require Police to put in tremendous efforts in the deployment of human resources on such aspects as the maintenance of law and order, security co-ordination and crime prevention."

He said there will be no reduction in frontline officers and that Police are committed to keeping Hong Kong a safe city.