The number of crimes reported in the first half of 2024 was 45,315 cases, a 5.6% increase over the same period in 2023, while the overall detection rate was 26.3%.
 
The number of deception cases increased 6.2% to 19,897 in the first half of 2024, of which 62.3% were Internet-related.
 
Deception cases accounted for 43.9% of the total number of crimes and the amount involved was $4.48 billion. The loss incurred from investment fraud accounted for 34.5% of the total.
 
With respect to enforcement, 5,693 people were arrested for deception cases and related money laundering offences in the first half of 2024, a 40% increase over the same period last year. More than 4,000 of them were stooge account holders.
 
Apart from expediting prosecution, Police also apply to the court for enhanced sentencing.  As of June, the force succeeded in enhancing the sentence of 11 stooge account holders in nine cases by three to 12 months, resulting in 26 to 75 months of imprisonment.
 
Although the rise in deception cases in the first half of 2024 has slowed down compared with the same periods of the previous two years, the number of cases is still high and the amount of loss involved is substantial. As a result, Police will step up efforts to combat deception and appeal to the public to convey anti-deception messages to their family and friends.
 
Meanwhile, there were 1,821 cases of wounding and serious assault, a slight increase of 1.4% over the same period last year. The number of robberies dropped 25.4% while burglary cases rose by 19.6%.
 
Regarding the closed-circuit television (CCTV) installation scheme aimed at combatting various crimes, Police completed the installation of CCTV cameras at 15 locations in Mong Kok in April for testing the technicality. Since June, the force began installing other CCTV cameras in phases, with a target of installing 615 sets in various districts within this year.
 
With the assistance of the newly installed CCTV cameras, Police have detected 17 cases involving serious crimes as at July 31, including homicide, robbery, wounding and possession of imitation firearm, and a total of 27 people have been arrested, showcasing the effectiveness of CCTVs in fighting crime.
 
As for the enforcement of the National Security Law, as at June 30 this year, Police arrested a total of 300 people, and among them, around 60% have been charged.