Hong Kong's crime situation in the first eight months of the year was stable, however, the number of juveniles arrested for serious narcotics offences rose 13%, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

Speaking after today's Fight Crime Committee meeting, Mr Lee said there were 2,091 serious drug offences in the first eight months of the year, up 5.9% on the same period last year.

Ketamine seizures rose 250%, while those of heroin, ice, cocaine and ecstasy increased 4.3%, 107.1%, 53.6% and 122.7%. However, cannabis seizures fell 13%.

Noting the Government attaches great importance to the drug problem, Mr Lee said the voluntary drug testing trial will start in Tai Po secondary schools in December.

A briefing session will be organised for schools, parents and students. Forms will be distributed to parents in November to get their consent for their children to be tested. He reiterated the information gathered from the scheme will not be passed to Police for prosecution purposes.

Stable city

There were 51,993 crime cases in the first eight months of the year, up 0.1% on the same period last year, with violent crime down 1.5% to 9,419.

Robberies, burglaries, miscellaneous thefts fell 24.1%, 9.9%, and 9.4% while wounding and serious assault cases dropped 1.6%.

However, criminal intimidation and damage cases rose 23.4% and 2.4% while shop theft, deception and homicide cases grew 18.9%, 19.1% and 37%.