Crime rates in Hong Kong last year at its lowest in 36 years despite claims Occupy Central spread lawlessness in community
Police say number of offences in 2015 down 1.9 per cent on previous year, marking lowest level since 1979
Crime in Hong Kong last year fell to its lowest rate since 1979, despite earlier police claims that the Occupy Central movement had spread a sense of lawlessness among the community.
Former police commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung warned last year there could be more crime post-Occupy, as the pro-democracy campaign had done great harm to law and order in the long term.
But yesterday police revealed the city’s overall crime rate had declined for nine consecutive years and dropped 1.9 per cent in 2015 over the previous year to a 36-year low.
Tsang’s successor, Stephen Lo Wai-chung, sidestepped questions as to whether Tsang had exaggerated his case.
“I believe the lawlessness you mentioned, Tsang was talking within the context of the illegal Occupy Central movement,” said Lo.
“My report on 2015 is largely on crime like triad offences and dangerous drugs ... rather than the illegal acts mentioned by Tsang.”
A total of 66,439 crimes were reported last year – 910 cases per 100,000 people.