A year-on-year drop of 40% was recorded in the number of youngsters committing serious narcotics offences in the first quarter, showing the Government's anti-drug efforts are working, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

Speaking after today's Fight Crime Committee meeting, he said serious narcotics offences dropped 27.9%. Falls were seen in seizures of heroin (-19%), cannabis (-33.3%), ice (-88.9%), and cocaine (- 4.5%). However, ketamine and ecstasy seizures surged 90.9% and 10.9%.

Although encouraging signs were shown in anti-drug measures, Mr Lee urged the public to stay alert in the fight against drugs, adding the Government will seek funding approval of about $3 billion from the Finance Committee to support initiatives launched by anti-drug bodies, schools and non-government organisations to help youngsters with drug problems quit the habit.

Overall crime numbers fell 2.2% to 18,806 and violent crimes dropped 2.1% to 3,377 in the January-March period. Falls were seen in robbery (-14.4%), car theft (-41.6%), snatching (-19.2%), serious assault (-5.6%) and deception (-10.5%) cases.

Wounding, rape, pick-pocketing and shop theft cases rose 13.8%, 13.6%, 25% and 3%.

"The law and order situation is stable and Hong Kong remains a safe city," Mr Lee added.

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