Hong Kong's law and order situation remained stable in the first eight months of the year, with overall crime rising only 0.3%.

Briefing the media after attending the Fight Crime Committee meeting today, Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said crimes recording year-on-year increases included deception (12.3%), criminal damage (7.6%), and wounding and serious assault (1.2%).

Some violent crimes also increased, including homicide (80%), rape (18.6%), indecent assault (1.7%), and criminal intimidation (1.5%).

Some crimes recorded year-on-year decreases, including blackmail (-15%), shop lifting (-10%), arson (-30.9%), robberies (-18.2%), burglary (-2.8%), and theft from vehicles (-7.1%).

Mr Lai said there were 1,430 serious drug offences, compared to 1,431 during the same period last year. There were 417 young people arrested for drug-related crime, down 17.3%.

The amount of cocaine, ketamine, cannabis, and 'ice' seized rose up to five fold, while other drugs, including heroin and ecstasy-type tablets, recorded decreases. Most of the cocaine, ketamine, cannabis, and heroin was seized at boundary control points.

He reiterated that Police will stay alert and co-operate with other countries to curb the source of drugs and prevent them from entering Hong Kong. He said the Government will tackle drug problems through law enforcement, forfeiting drug-dealing gains, and educating youngsters.

The number of young people arrested for crime fell in the first eight months. Those aged 10 to 15 dropped 26.9% to 1,712, while those aged 16 to 20 fell 6% to 2,673. Most were involved in shop theft, miscellaneous theft, wounding, serious assault, and serious drug offences.

Police will adopt effective preventive measures and strengthen law enforcement to ensure stable law and order in Hong Kong, he said.

Mr Lai said Mainland visitors rose 24% in the first eight months, but the ratio of them committing crimes like shop theft fell from 4.3 in 100,000 to 4 in 100,000.

He added the Government had launched crackdowns on 'courier' passenger activities. About 170 people were arrested in the last four operations and 10 were convicted. But the ratio is low compared to the total number of Mainland visitors.