Hong Kong’s overall crime dropped 4.6% in the first five months of the year, when compared with the same period last year.

Briefing the media after the Fight Crime Committee meeting today, Secretary for Security TK Lai said 29,805 crimes were reported during the period, compared with 31,231 in same period last year. Violent crime dropped by 6.2%.

Crimes recording year-on-year increases included homicide (341.7%), bank robbery (100%), blackmail (39.2%) and deception (11.4%).

Mr Lai said the increase in homicide cases was due to manslaughter charges against the two coxswains in the Lamma Island ferry tragedy, which killed 39 people.

Besides these, there were 14 homicide cases, an increase of two cases compared with same period last year.

Crimes recording year-on-year decreases included robbery with a pistol-like object (-33.3%), burglary (-20.8%), and pickpocketing (-18.1%).

There were 908 cases of serious drug offences, up 2.8%. Ten times as many ecstasy-type tablets were seized, while the amount of methamphetamine or ‘ice’ seized rose 280%.

Juvenile crime decreased 20% for the age group 10-15, while that for the age group 16-20 fell 13.5%.

Most juvenile crimes were theft or assault. Mr Lai said Police will strengthen patrols to fight youth crime.