Crime combating Measures taken by the authorities had achieved satisfying results, Secretary for Security comment on the continuous decrease in serious crimes in the first quarter of 2002.

The Secretary hosted a press conference today (8 May) to announce the crime statistics in the first quarter of the year.

He said that MSAR public order continue to be stable. a total of 2,203 crimes were recorded in the first quarter of 2002, representing a slightly increase of 0.5% compared with the same period in 2001. The increase was recorded mainly in the group of property crimes, with an increase of 7.8% (88 cases).

Comparing to the same period in 2001, 22 more violent crime cases were reordered in the first quarter of 2002, among which the number of robbery and arson cases had increased by 30 and 6 respectively.

The secretary pointed out that it is there are significant decrease in homicide (7.5%) , kidnap (7.5%), extortion (13.6%) and narcotic cases (46.4%).

He revealed that 732 persons were arrested and sent to the Public Prosecution during this period, and that a 31.7% drop (13 less cases) in juvenile crimes was recorded.

Regarding illegal immigration, Mr. Cheong said that the authorities solved 140 cases related to aiding illegal immigrants. Compared to the same period in 2001, during the first quarter of this year 4,176 persons were repatriated, including 398 illegal immigrants from Mainland China (283 less) and 3,778 persons who had overstayed their visas (173 more).

25 cases involving the use of psychotropic drugs and narcotics were recorded, which was an increase of 13.6% (three more cases) over the same period last year.

Mr. Cheong said that the authorities would continue to improve local security through a more rigorous assessment of the police force. Furthermore, the authorities would track the social-economic development of the region, especially as it corresponded with the development of the gaming industry.