The overall crime figures in the first half of this year hit a record low since 1977 with 25,295 crime cases recorded.

The police revealed today that crime cases fell 4.7%, compared with the same period last year, representing a decrease of 1,255 cases.

There were fewer cases of homicide, robbery, burglary, serious drug offences, wounding and serious assault as well as criminal intimidation.

However, more sexual offence and deception cases were recorded compared with 2018.

While the number of rapes increased by 26.1%, deception cases rose 5% and mainly stemmed from telephone and e-shopping fraud.

To raise public awareness, the Police strengthened collaboration with online trading platforms and mobile applications to disseminate anti-deception messages.

Triad-related crimes dropped 6.9% during the first six months of 2019. Over 500 people were arrested in the Police’s large-scale anti-triad operations during the period.