CRIME has soared at the holiday island of Cheung Chau to an unprecedented scale this summer, with burglaries increasing by nearly 90 per cent.
There have been 48 burglaries in May, June and July compared to only 27 in the same period last year. In the first six months of 1993 there were 91 burglaries opposed to 71 for the whole of 1992.
Divisional Commander Chief Inspector Jeremy Howard admitted there had been a low arrest rate on the island.
''We have only solved nine burglaries, which of course I'm not happy with, and I would like to see the arrest rate improve.
''The main problem in solving burglaries is the goods disappear so quickly it is difficult to find the source. I appeal to holidaymakers and locals to be extra vigilant, secure belongings and report suspicious activity to the police.
''Of course, if we had thousands of police manning rooftops we would catch burglars but we haven't got those sort of resources. Cheung Chau is like everywhere in Hong Kong - in that more staff would be helpful,'' he said.
Assistant Divisional Commander (Operations and Crime), Senior Inspector Bradley Wright, is hopeful investigations may provide the improvement required.
