TNAG-0263-FCO40-299-Problem-of-increase-in-crime-rate-in-Hong-Kong-1971 — Page 33

14

Reference........

Mr. Macaun. ✓

letter

You will

have seen a

copy of the Governor's

6th August (at (1) on this file) about the

of upoward trend

vident crime in

have gathered together

Hong Kong. We

a number of related files and

comments

you

a wide variety

publications and statistics with particular reference to the paints raised by the. Royle at (2).

I should be grateful for any may have in the Sjeverne 'is letter particularly in the light of the Home Office letter and statistics at (13). As they have pointed out one cannet of course make direct comparisons for ofreasons. A further point is that the figures given in the Governor's table are, within the is respective categories, somewhat less precise than the tables quated in the RH.K.P.F. lexime Repost which lovers periods of fiscal years (pl. see HKK 14/41). The one point that is unmediately apparent is the relatively steady upward progression in beth cases page 14 of the Police Report makes this clear.

Quash.

5/10.

Mr. Marsh (Hong Kong Department)

Little useful purpose is served by comparing crime figures of one country with those of another as so many local factors affect the issue and it is therefore dangerous to draw conclusions. The Hong Kong figures show an upward trend in crimes of violence which follows the pattern in many other countries during the last few years and is symptomatic of the times in which we live. I do not consider, however that the increase has reached alarming proportions although all possible steps should be taken to contain the situation. It is