The Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, releases the crime figures of the first half of 2016 at a press briefing.
The number of crimes reported in the first half of 2016 saw a year-on-year rise of 1.4 percent. Instances of the most serious forms of crime were either non-existent, or extremely low in number. A total of 3,591 people were transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office for further investigation in the first six months of 2016, an increase of 808 people, or 29 percent, on the prior year. The figures proved police enforcement efforts and strategies were effective, said the Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak. He was speaking on Monday (22 August) at a press conference announcing the crime figures for the first half of 2016. The authorities would continue efforts to maintain public order, to use effective crime-fighting measures to ensure the stability of Macao and to update their strategies when deemed necessary, stated the Secretary. The police dealt with a total of 7,125 reported crimes in the first half of 2016, an increase of 100 cases, or 1.4 percent, from the corresponding period last year. The increase was mainly due to enhanced enforcement efforts – starting in the second quarter of this year – against temporary stay permit holders that failed to report to the police on a regular basis as required. The number of such non-reporting incidents rose to 253, compared to the 22 incidents recorded in the prior-year period. The number of violent crimes reported in the first six months of 2016 showed a rise of 14.8 percent year-on-year, to 388 cases. Cases of usury and false imprisonment saw an increase of 52.3 percent and 27.1 percent respectively. The most serious forms of crime, such as murder, kidnap, and grievous assault were either non-existent, or extremely low in number. Mr Wong said the police paid close attention to the recent cases of illegal imprisonment – involving people from outside Macao – which ended with the death of those being held. The incidents could be linked to gaming disputes occurring away from casinos, said Mr Wong. The Government would bolster measures to prevent gaming-related crimes, said Mr Wong. Such measures included: increasing the number of law enforcement personnel; strengthening the monitoring of organised crime; initiating more effective intelligence gathering methods; intensifying the monitoring and investigation of foreign criminal organisations; and strengthening communication with counterparts from neighbouring cities. Additionally, the half-year data showed that infractions relating to unlicensed transportation services went up by 55.9 percent. The Government would closely monitor unlicensed passenger transportation services accessed via mobile applications, said Mr Wong. The Government had issued during the period a total of 100 special licences for taxi services; including for vehicles that can be ordered either online or via telephone. It was part of the Government’s efforts to regulate public transportation services and to protect properly the rights and safety of passengers, the Secretary stated.