Crime enforcement statistics from the security authorities for the first three months of 2021 show Macao remains a secure and safe city.

According to the police-enforcement statistics published today, the tally of all suspected crime cases reported in Macao in the first quarter of 2021 saw a 20.8-percent increase year-on-year, to 2,914 instances. While that tally showed an upward trend relative to the first quarter 2020, it was still lower that the first-quarter number of 2019, which had 3,364 instances of suspected crime.

Instances of the most serious forms of crime – kidnap, murder and grievous assault – continued to be either non-existent or extremely low in number.

The security authorities remain highly vigilant regarding any negative impact on social order, in light of the growing effort toward economic recovery and the increasing volume of boundary-crossing movements. The security authorities will fully cooperate with the Government’s anti-epidemic strategies, while keeping in close touch with their counterparts in neighbouring cities to improve efficiency regarding exchange of intelligence. The police will pay close attention to any change in trend in relation to community safety, and will make the necessary arrangements in order to maintain Macao’s safe environment, stability and prosperity.

According to the public security statistics, violent crime, such as robbery, kidnapping and aggravated assault, as recorded in the three months of 2021, showed a year-on-year decrease: a continued trend.  

Reported cases of crime against the person showed a year-on-year increase of 46.7 percent. Under that heading, assault cases saw a 27 percent increase year-on-year, mostly due to general disputes, family disputes and trouble caused by people under the influence of alcohol.

The number of suspected cases of false imprisonment had a significant year-on-year decrease, of 65.4 percent, to nine instances.

Under the heading of crimes against property, reported cases of fraud went up year-on-year by 23.2 percent, to 324 in the first quarter this year. There were 29 cases of suspected extortion, compared to six recorded during the first quarter of 2020. Suspected usury cases – in Macao typically associated with loan sharking – fell by 56.5 percent year-on-year, to 20 instances.

In the category of crimes against society, the number of arson cases saw a year-on-year increase of 63.6 percent, to 18 instances. Reports of forged documents rose year-on-year by 57.4 percent, to 96 cases: the increase mostly representing cases involving suspected sham marriage. 

In addition, reported cases of computer-related crime rose by 297.5 percent year-on-year, to 322 instances. Under that heading, instances involving naked chat scams and the use of credit cards for online shopping, grew year-on-year by 19 and 208 cases, respectively.

The citywide electronic surveillance system known as “Sky Eye” has had a positive effect in terms of protecting the health and property of members of the public. In the first three months of 2021, there was a total of 850 cases – mostly grievous assault, robbery and arson – that involved the use of the surveillance system for investigation purposes.