Crime enforcement statistics recorded in the first nine months of 2021 and published today show Macao remains a secure and safe city.
There were 8,802 cases of suspected crime reported in Macao in the first nine months of 2021, up 24.1 percent year-on-year.
A factor in the increase might have been a growth in tourist numbers relative to previous data reporting periods, and the stepped up effort of local police with counterparts in neighbouring cities in combatting cross-boundary crimes. The increase in cases might also be linked to local economic recovery conditions, and an increase in the amount of time people spent online either via social media or engaged in online shopping.
While aggregate crime cases for the first nine months this year were up compared to the 7,092 cases in 2020, the latest figures were down compared to the 10,598 cases in the first nine months of 2019. This year’s numbers to September 30 saw a significant increase in Internet-related crimes, while cases linked to illicit currency exchange also increased year-on-year.
From 1 January to 30 September inclusive, reported cases of computer-related crime rose by 279.6 percent year-on-year, to 744 instances. Under that heading, there were 504 more cases involving the use of credit cards for online shopping, than there had been in the same period in 2020.
During the first nine months of 2021, the number of all crimes categorised as involving violence saw a year-on-year increase of 19.5 percent, to 202 instances. The most serious forms of violent crime – such as kidnapping, murder, and aggravated assault – continued to be extremely rare in Macao.
Reported cases of crimes against the person saw a 16.8-percent increase, to 1,777. Under that heading, false imprisonment rose by 6.9 percent year-on-year, to 31 instances.
The number of reported crimes against property in first nine months of 2021 saw a 11.3-percent increase year-on-year, to 4,355 in aggregate. Under the category, suspected usury cases – in Macao typically associated with loan sharking – rose by 5.3 percent year-on-year, to 60 instances. Reported fraud cases went up by 47.1 percent, to 987.
According to the security authorities, the citywide electronic surveillance system known as “Sky Eye” has had a positive effect in terms of assisting the police in solving crimes more quickly. A total of more than 2,659 cases during the first nine months of 2021 was investigated with the assistance of the surveillance system.
The security authorities would continue to play their part in the Government’s strategies of “preventing imported cases and a rebound of the epidemic” in relation to COVID-19. The security authorities would remain highly vigilant regarding any new trends in crime, and work closely with other Government departments, as well as the authorities in neighbouring cities, in order to introduce steps – in a timely way – either to prevent crimes from happening or combat those that do occur.