Statistical Highlights Security Research Office Legislative Council Secretariat ISSH13/16-17 Crime and police Figure 1 ― Trend of reported crime in Hong Kong Highlights Cases 94 886 Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in 90 000 the world, taking the 6th position in a 66 439 comparative study on personal safety 60 000 among 50 cities in 2015. Over the 74 799 62 433 63 547 62 419 past 20 years, the number of reported 55 550 crime has declined significantly by 28% 30 000 to 66 439 cases, with bigger reduction in violent crime (36%) than non- 17 087 14 812 13 890 13 546 10 889 violent crime (26%) (Figure 1). 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Violent crime Non-violent crime • As such, the number of crime per Figure 2 ― Crime rate in selected cities 100 000 population in Hong Kong fell by 17% to 935 in 2014, compared with Cases 2008. Among the seven big cities 16 000 selected for comparison, Hong Kong 12 167 2008 recorded the second lowest crime rate 12 000 2014 in 2014, only next to Singapore. Yet, 8 470 8 000 it compared favourably with other cities including London and New York. 3 770 4 000 Similar to Hong Kong, all these cities 2 199 1 286 935 591 except Paris, were on a downward trend of reported crime (Figure 2). Paris London Toronto New York Tokyo Hong Kong Singapore change +11% -25% -44% -8% -29% -17% -14% • Analysed by crime category, thefts Note: Crime rate is measured by the number of crime per 100 000 population. Classification of crime may differ among cities. including shop theft and burglary is the largest category of crime in Figure 3 ― Composition of crime in 2015 and major Hong Kong, accounting for 45% of all changes between 2010 and 2015 reported crime in 2015. It is followed by deception, with a share of 14%. Bucking the overall downtrend in -37% Homicide Composition of crime in 2015 crime rate, blackmail cases have -38% Rape All quadrupled over the past 5 years, Others thefts while cases of deception and 26% 45% -43% Burglary possession of arms (including Deception Criminal -71% Robbery 14% offensive weapons and ammunitions) damage 9% increased by 65% and 63% Possession of arms 63% respectively (Figure 3). Serious assault 6% Deception 65% Blackmail 316% -100% 0% 100% 200% 300% 400% Changes between 20 10 and 2015 Crime and police (cont'd) Figure 4 ― Strength of Hong Kong Police Force Highlights Number of regular officers The decline in crime was matched with 30 000 28 238 28 511 27 502 26 691 27 658 a modest improvement of the strength of Hong Kong Police Force ("HKPF"). 20 000 In the past 20 years, the number of regular police officers (excluding 10 000 auxiliary and civilian officers) has increased by a total of 3.6% to 28 511 in 2015. Nevertheless, after taking into 1995-1996 2000-2001 2005-2006 2010-2011 2015-2016 account population growth, the ratio of Number of officers per 100 000 population police officers per 100 000 population 447 424 392 398 390 fell by 12.7% to 390 over the same period (Figure 4). Figure 5 ― The nature of complaints against police • According to the Independent Police Others Complaints Council ("IPCC") which is 11% Others Asssault 11% responsible for monitoring complaints 7% Assault investigation by HKPF, the number of Neglect 2010-2011: 10% 2015-2016: Neglect of duty 7 182 3 360 of duty allegations of complaints against police 45% allegations allegations 46% has dropped by 53% from 7 182 to Misconduct Misconduct 3 360 respectively between 2010-2011 37% 33% and 2015-2016. The most common allegation was "neglect of duty" (51%) followed by "misconduct" (34%) in Note: The above figures only show the allegations of complaints endorsed by IPCC. Each complaint may comprise more than one allegation. 2015-2016 (Figure 5). Figure 6 ― Investigation results of the allegations • The Complaints Against Police Office of HKPF is responsible for investigating the Withdrawn or 2010-2011 Others 3% not pursuable 53% complaints it receives. In 2015-2016, Substantiated 3% Informally 60% of the allegations of the complaints resolved 18% were withdrawn or not pursuable. No fault 8% Unsubstantiated 15% Only about 4% of the allegations were found substantiated, with the rest being 2015-2016 Withdrawn or unsubstantiated (16%), no fault (14%) not pursuable 60% Others 2% or informally resolved (4%) (Figure 6). Informally resolved 4% No fault 14% Substantiated 4% Unsubstantiated Data sources: Latest figures from Hong Kong Police Force, 16% IPCC and Census and Statistics Department. Research Office Information Services Division Legislative Council Secretariat 15 December 2016 Tel: 2871 2127 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Statistical Highlights are compiled for Members and Committees of the Legislative Council. They are not legal or other professional advice and shall not be relied on as such. Statistical Highlights are subject to copyright owned by The Legislative Council Commission (The Commission). The Commission permits accurate reproduction of Statistical Highlights for non-commercial use in a manner not adversely affecting the Legislative Council, provided that acknowledgement is made stating the Research Office of the Legislative Council Secretariat as the source and one copy of the reproduction is sent to the Legislative Council Library. The paper number of this issue of Statistical Highlights is ISSH13/16-17. 2 .