Nomura says the macro economic risks in China remain high, and there is a one-in-three likelihood of a hard economic landing, according to the bank's latest research reports. In November 2011, Nomura predicted a hard landing, also a one-in-three chance…

Overall crime fell 4% in the first half of the year.

Police Director of Crime & Security Lo Wai-chung said today 36,068 crime cases were recorded during the six-month period.

There were 6,074 violent crimes, down 5.9% year-on-year.

Decreases were seen in miscellaneous theft (-6.3%), burglary (-19.5%), criminal damage (-10.7%), and wounding and serious assault (-8.6%) cases.

Mr Lo said crimes recording increases included deception (+10 %), blackmail (+62.3%), and indecent assault (+7.2%).

There were 53 homicide cases, a 2.5-fold increase on last year’s figure, due to the Lamma Island ferry tragedy last October in which 39 died. The two captains involved have been charged with manslaughter. Excluding that incident, the figure was similar to last year.

Serious drug cases rose 2.4% year-on-year to 1,086. Cases involving 'ice', cocaine and cannabis were rising. However, those involving heroin and ketamine decreased.

Seizures of heroin, ice and cocaine rose.

A total of 2,866 juveniles were arrested, down 17.2% year-on-year. Most of them were arrested for assault, theft, and drug and gang offences.

Mr Lo said Police will monitor crime trends closely and combat those crimes on the rise.

There were 7,649 traffic accidents in the first six months of the year, down by 191 compared to the same period last year.

Police Director of Operations Wong Chi-hung told reporters today traffic enforcement actions were stepped up by 9% during the period, totalling 792,926, while the number of fatal traffic accidents decreased by five to 50.

There were 106 arrests from drink driving related accidents, compared to 117 in the same period last year.

Pre-screening tests increased from 59,791 to 79,049, up 32%, and 17 drivers were arrested for drug-driving offences, down 41%.

There were 1,206 cycling-related accidents, up 3%. The number of fatalities involving cycling increased by two to five.

Mr Wong said Police will continue to enhance road safety through enforcement, education and publicity.

The author is Standard Chartered Bank global research department – Liberalising loan rates will change the loan-pricing mechanism, not loan rates – SHIBOR (Shanghai Interbank Offered Rate)-based loans could gradually increase and lead to an increase in…