A total of 11 073 cases of violent crime were recorded last year, a drop of about 8.9 per cent and a new low since 1971. Almost all crimes were on a downward trend and those with drops of more than 10 per cent included homicide (down 56.5 per cent), rape (down 46.7 per cent), robbery (down 38.2 per cent), burglary (down 24.4 per cent), indecent assault (down 23.8 per cent), youth crimes (down 19.9 per cent), triad-related crimes (down 19.3 per cent), serious drug offences (down 18.2 per cent) and arson (down 10.3 per cent).

 

The crimes on the rise in 2014 included deception (up 17.9 per cent) and blackmail (up 20.7 per cent). There were 8 861 deception cases in 2014, an increase of 1 343 cases compared with 2013 mainly due to the rises in social media deception, online business fraud and telephone deception.

 

In social media deception, there were 1 239 cases in 2014, an increase of 978 cases or 3.7-fold, and the pecuniary loss rose by around 40 per cent to around $70 million compared with 2013. This increase was caused by deception cases arising from instant messaging applications emerging in April last year. Analysis showed that most of the cases were associated with the security loophole of "PIN".

 

"The Hong Kong Police have obtained a connection with the head office of the application concerned through INTERPOL. Our analysis results were shared in details with suggestions on fixing the vulnerability advanced. Police will also enhance local publicity," Mr Tsang said.

 

"The Technology Crime Division also formed a working group targeting at social media deception in September 2014. Major local convenience stores and virtual game card distributors were invited to meetings to discuss and work out measures to prevent crime and raise customers' awareness," he added.

 

 

There were 2 375 reported cases of online business fraud in 2014, an increase of 64 per cent or 926 cases, with the pecuniary loss rising by more than 10 per cent to around $48 million compared with last year. Around 65 per cent of online business fraud involved e-auction and online shopping, while the remaining 35 per cent were related to online business and credit card misuse.

 

Police received 2 220 reports of telephone deception in 2014, a rise of 8.5 per cent or 173 cases over 2013, and the pecuniary loss increased by around 17 per cent to about $45 million. Almost all cases were committed with the modus operandi of "detained son" (1 195 cases) and "guess who" (1 002 cases). The rate of unsuccessful attempts was around 70 per cent. Among them, 54 telephone deception cases of "detained son" were detected with 43 male Mainland two-way permit holders arrested.

 

 

A total of 885 cases of blackmail were recorded in 2014, a rise of 152 cases over 2013. The increase was attributed to the rise in blackmail cases involving "naked chat", which rose from 477 cases in 2013 to 638 cases in 2014, representing a rise of 161 cases or around 34 per cent. Pecuniary loss also saw an increase of around 35 per cent to $2.3 million. The highest loss in a single case amounted to around $110 000.

 

In view of the inexorable rise in technology crime, police continued to enhance publicity and education, including the rollout of a scam prevention platform, "Fight Scams Together", in July 2014 to heighten public vigilance.

 

"On January 1, 2015, the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau was established with manpower of 180 officers. For combating technology crime, including "naked chat", establishment of this new bureau will enhance the Force's professional and sophisticated capability in investigation, digital forensics and training. Partnership with other law enforcement agencies, government departments and local stakeholders will also be strengthened.  Public knowledge and awareness of prevention of technology crime will be further boosted through education and community involvement," said the Commissioner.

 

 

As regards cases on the decrease, there were 27 homicide cases in 2014, a drop of 35 cases from the 62 cases in 2013. If the Lamma incident involving 39 counts of manslaughter was set aside, the figure in fact would have risen by four cases. All the 27 homicide cases were detected, with five involving domestic violence and nine committed by relatives.

 

In 2014, 5 629 wounding and serious assault cases were recorded, a drop of 534 cases (down 8.7 per cent) over 2013 and being the lowest record since 1981. Among them, 478 wounding and serious assault cases involved triads, a drop of 15.1 per cent. A total of 682 youths were arrested for wounding and serious assault, a drop of 23 per cent.

 

There were 309 robbery cases in 2014, a drop of 191 cases over 2013, marking a record low since 1969 and involving no genuine firearms.

 

In rape cases, 56 reports were recorded in 2014, showing a significant decrease of 46.7 per cent over 2013 and being the lowest figure since 1977, with 55 cases detected. Indecent assault cases totalled 1 115 in 2014, a decrease of 348 cases over 2013.  There was also a decrease by 104 cases to 256 indecent assault cases on public transport and other places, with 55 per cent (146 cases) occurring in MTR areas.

 

 

Serious drug cases totalled 1 855 in 2014, a decrease of 414. There were decreases in cases related to most dangerous drugs except Ice, which increased by eight per cent or 43 cases to 578 cases.

 

There was also a decrease in the number of people arrested for serious drug cases.  In 2014, 2 422 persons were arrested, a drop of 18.4 per cent. Among them were 445 youths, a decrease of 180. The number of arrested juvenile aged between 10 and 15 dropped by 42 to 78.  The number of juvenile arrested for trafficking in dangerous drugs saw a considerable drop by one-third to 63.

 

"Since late February 2014, cases of trafficking in dangerous drugs involving juvenile aged between 10 and 15 have been taken up for investigation by District Crime Squads or formations of higher level, preserving more resources for tracking down syndicates behind the scenes, including applying to court for enhanced sentencing. Up till the end of 2014, backstage syndicate members were arrested in 13 cases. In the wake of the fruitful results, police had the initiatives extended to drug trafficking cases involving young persons aged between 16 and 17 in late July 2014, resulting in the arrest of backstage syndicate members in six cases up till the end of last year," Mr Tsang said.

 

"To prevent young drug abusers from becoming hidden, police will continue to maintain close co-operation with other government departments and all sectors of the community to promote vigilance in the community against the problem of youth drug abuse at home, and enhance parents' awareness of the problem," he added.

 

 

In youth crimes, 4 324 youths were arrested for criminal cases in 2014, a decrease of 1 073 persons compared with 2013. They were involved mainly in shop and miscellaneous theft, wounding and serious assault, serious drug offences and criminal damage.

 

There were 1 669 criminal cases of domestic violence in 2014, a decrease of 201 cases compared with the previous year. The situation regarding miscellaneous domestic violence cases and domestic incidents involving no violence but a minor nature also improved.

 

Police take a "zero tolerance" stance towards domestic violence cases and will continue to adopt a "multi-agency cross-sectoral approach". In dealing with domestic violence cases, police will conduct risk assessment and safeguard the safety of the victims and their families through referrals. Police will also remind the victims to seek early assistance.

 

 

Mr Tsang also took the opportunity to introduce his Operational Priorities for 2015, which cover violent crime; triads, syndicated and organised crime; dangerous drugs; quick cash crime; cyber security and technology crime; public safety; and terrorism.

 

This year, police will continue to ensure a strong presence to deter violent crime, particularly those involving firearms or explosive devices; target at street gangs, especially those involving young persons, and handle and investigate all reports of domestic violence.

 

Police will also continue to target at triads and cross-boundary and internationally syndicated and organised crimes. Proactive measures will be taken to investigate the proceeds of crime with emphasis on combating money-laundering activities.

 

In combating dangerous drugs, police will continue to strengthen co-operation with overseas law enforcement agencies to interdict illicit drug flows into Hong Kong; proactively target at drug traffickers, especially those exploiting young persons; and  adopt a multi-agency and community-based approach to promote public awareness and prevent abuse of psychotropic drugs by students and juveniles.

 

In quick cash crimes, police will focus on combating syndicates involved in deception, especially the rising telephone, Internet and social media deceptions. Apart from taking arrest action, police will also step up anti-deception publicity and education to heighten public awareness.

 

To enhance cyber security and combat technology crimes, the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau will adopt a multi-agency approach to promote public awareness of computer and cyber security as well as the risk of being exploited while using the Internet and social media; and enhance co-operation with other law enforcement agencies, professional training and preparedness to handle and investigate reports of technology crimes.

 

In public safety, police will enhance public understanding of and support for its roles and responsibilities in maintaining public order and security. Police will continue to engage organisers and stakeholders of public events proactively. To ensure effective response to major incidents and disasters, police will conduct regular multi-agency exercises to test and improve contingency plans. The capability in the recovery phase will also be enhanced to ensure timely opening of affected areas.

 

In addition, police will continue to implement proactive anti-terrorism measures in three main aspects, namely prevention, preparedness and response. In addition, there will be strengthening of intelligence collection on terrorism and enhancement of protection of critical infrastructure and sensitive premises.

 

 

In conclusion, Mr Tsang said: "According to a 'Prosperity Index' in 2014 published by the Legatum Institute in the United Kingdom early November last year, Hong Kong topped the 'Safety & Security' sub-index among 142 countries and regions in the world for two consecutive years. As regards the 'Rule of Law Index' in 2013/14 announced by the World Justice Project, Hong Kong ranked fourth among 99 countries and regions in 'Order and Security'. Besides, Hong Kong came sixth among 144 economies in 'Reliability of Police Services' in 'The Global Competitiveness Report' published by the World Economic Forum in 2014. The data shows Hong Kong is one of the safest and most stable societies in the world.

 

"The overall law and order situation in Hong Kong saw further improvement in 2014 as a result of the continued efforts of the whole community. Law-abiding citizens, police's effective enforcement as well as co-operation between police and the community are vital for ensuring Hong Kong remains safe and stable.

 

"The Hong Kong Police, as an enforcement agency, will remain devoted to and steadfast for the mission of maintaining law and order. We hope our efforts will secure the consistent support of the community."