Contents Highlights

Hong Kong - The Safest City
Commissioner's Operational Targets 2003

This was the message given by Commissioner Mr Tsang Yam-pui as he used the opportunity of a press conference held on January 16 to review the crime situation in Hong Kong last year, highlight crime and other issues which remain of concern, as well as announce his Operational Targets for 2003.

The situation as far as specific crimes are concerned revealed both successes in key areas as well as increases in a number of other crimes. Overall robbery reports in 2002 increased by 10.3%. Most encouragingly however the number of these cases in which genuine firearms were used, (a total of four) showed no significant change over the three cases seen in 2001. Instances of bank, goldsmith and watchshop robberies were all down compared to the previous year, however, there was an increase in street level robberies which together with simple deceptions and snatchings showed a rising trend in the number of so called 'quick cash crimes'.

Assaults up, but burglaries down

Of similar concern was the fact that figures for woundings and serious assaults saw an increase of 5.8%, with 10.8% of all cases linked to triad involvement. In other areas, however, burglaries were down by 431 cases, a drop of 5% over 2001. This represented a 23 year low in burglary statistics. There was also a drop in the number of serious narcotic cases, down by 9.3% over 2001. Most encouragingly in this area was the significant decrease in the number of young persons arrested for offences connected to psychotropic drugs. Indeed there was also a very positive drop of 23.2% in the number of overall arrests of juveniles and young persons for crimes last year.

"That Hong Kong's crime rate remains low comparing most favourably with the majority of major cities around the world is clear testament to the endeavour and sheer hard work of the Force over what had been a difficult 12 months", said Mr Tsang. He also added how encouraged he had been by the support and appreciation shown for the Force's efforts by so many in the community. Satisfaction with the Hong Kong Police's performance was most clearly expressed perhaps by members of the Legislative Council when they openly congratulated the Commissioner on our officers' efforts during his appearance before the LegCo Security Panel in the morning of January 16.

No room for complacency

These hard earned plaudits aside however Mr Tsang left no room for doubt when he stressed that concerted Police action will continue in a number of key areas of public concern. Action against violent crime, triads, so called 'quick cash crimes', narcotics, as well as offences committed by illegal immigrants and two-way permit holders from the Mainland remain key policing priorities. Similarly the threat of terrorism remains a vital consideration for law enforcement agencies around the globe, with the Hong Kong Police being no exception.

Identifying these priority policing areas as the foundation for the Force's objectives next year, Mr Tsang announced his five operational targets for 2003. These are to:

* Maintain the fight against violent crime - particularly that which involves firearms;

* Maintain the fight against triad-related violence;

* Crackdown on 'Quick Cash Crimes';

* Reinforce our commitment to international efforts against terrorism, and

* Follow up enforcement action against psychotropic drugs and their abuse by young people as well as crimes committed by illegal immigrants and two-way permit holders.

Of course in addition to these crime priorities and the threat of terrorism, other significant issues are anticipated to present a challenge for the Force in the year ahead. With negative public sentiment over the economy, as well as concerns over a number of current issues facing society, the maintenance of stability and order in the community will represent a separate, but nonetheless major challenge for the Force.

Hong Kong is safe

Mr Tsang acknowledged: "Whilst Hong Kong is a stable society at present and that the risk of public disorder is low, the potential for any number of gatherings or specific incidents to ignite civil unrest cannot be discounted." He was quick to assure the public however that "the Force will not allow complacency to compromise its ability to respond effectively to this potential threat".

"From an overall perspective Hong Kong remains a safe place," Mr Tsang reiterated, "however we anticipate facing many challenges in the coming year both in terms of the fight against crime, our response to the terrorist threat and our handling of public events.

"Once again we will have to increase our efforts to address concerns in these areas and ensure we overcome any challenges which arise. I am however confident that the Hong Kong Police will not only do everything in its power to maintain the stability and prosperity of our city, but is fully capable of doing so," Mr Tsang concluded.