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In the first half of 2023, a total of 42 923 crimes were recorded, showing an increase of 11 489 cases (+36.5%) when compared with 31 434 cases in the same period of 2022. Analysis shows that two major factors, namely the increase in deception cases and the society’s resumption of normalcy, caused the surge. The overall detection rate of crimes in the first half of 2023 was 27.2%.
The increase of deception cases moderated over the past six months, narrowing from 65% of the first quarter of 2023 to 42% of the second quarter when compared to the same periods of 2022. It is believed that the moderation was related to the Force’s collaboration with other stakeholders, which was starting to bear fruit, and its massive publicity and education efforts, which have raised public awareness. In fact, technology crimes and deception cases have surged rapidly around the world in recent years, resembling the situation of Hong Kong.
Moreover, given that the society had been affected by the epidemic for a long time in the first half of last year, the number of traditional crimes was at a very low level. As the society starts to resume normalcy this year, most traditional crimes have returned to normal levels of the pre-epidemic period.
Readers may scan the QR code for more information on the law and order situation in the first half of 2023.
