After a surge in gangland violence during the final years of Portuguese rule, Macau's homicide rate fell 72 per cent in the year after the handover.
Secretary for Security Cheong Kuoc-va said yesterday the overall number of crimes fell 3.64 per cent last year to 8,925. The number of homicides fell to 11 from 40 in 1999, kidnappings decreased by 66 per cent to eight and robbery cases dropped by 18 per cent. Arson cases fell 37 per cent to 94 in 2000.
But the number of drug trafficking cases rose 37.5 per cent to 176 from 128 the year before and the number of cases involving juveniles increased 70 per cent, Mr Cheong said.
Four centuries of Portuguese rule in Macau came to an end on December 20, 1999. A wave of gangland violence on the fringes of the gaming industry marred Macau's image in its final decade under Portuguese rule.
Mr Cheong attributed the fall in crime to greater efficiency on the part of the 5,500-member Macau Security Forces, as well as an increase in crime reports from residents.
Many Macau residents believe the presence of the PLA may also have helped quell crime.