Car theft cases plunge 30.3%

Thankfully, overall crime rose only 0.3%.

According to a government release, Hong Kong’s law and order situation remained stable in the first 10 months of the year, with overall crime rising 0.3%.

Briefing the media after attending the Fight Crime Committee meeting today, Acting Secretary for Security John Lee said there were 63,474 crimes reported during the period, compared with 63,263 in the first 10 months of last year.

Crimes recording year-on-year increases included, deception (12.4%), criminal damage (6.3%), and domestic violence (4.1%).

Some crimes recorded year-on-year decreases, including car theft, (-30.3%), shoplifting (-9%), and burglary (-4.1%).

Mr Lee said there were 1,759 cases of serious drug offences, up 2.8%. The amount of ketamine seized rose 194%, while that of 'ice' rose 86.7%.

Violent crime dropped 0.9%.

Mr Lee said there was a 9.7% increase in Mainland visitors arrested for crime, mostly miscellaneous thefts and shoplifting. However, he added that the figure was low, considering the large number of Mainland visitors that come to Hong Kong.