TNAG-1447-FCO40-1931-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-meet-1986 — Page 195

1.7

The number of goldsmith robberies decreased significantly from 44 cases in January to September 1984 to 24 cases in January to September 1985. the 1985 cases, 22 were successful and resulted in the loss of $9.4 million compared with $57.4 million lost in 38 successful cases in the equivalent period last year.

In 1985, genuine firearms were used in six of these robberies, pistol-like objects in 16, and other hard objects (e.g. hammers and knives) in the remaining two. Appendix VI contains a more detailed breakdown.

1.8

The number of bank robberies in the first three quarters increased from 44 (of which 15 were successful) in 1984 to 53 (of which 20 were successful) in 1985. Of those cases in 1985, only one involved a genuine firearm and pistol-like objects were used on 19 other occasions. Appendix VI contains a more detailed breakdown.

homicide

1.9

Sixty-nine homicides were reported in the first nine months of 1985, compared with 70 in the same period of 1984. Of these, eight occurred in the course of robberies and two in gang attacks.

Serious assaults

1.10

The number of serious assaults reported decreased from 5,812 in January to September of 1984 to 5,503 in the corresponding months of 1985.

Narcotics

1.11

There was a significant decrease of 49% in the average wholesale price of No. 3 heroin from $36,203 per kg to $18,592, when comparing the first three quarters of 1984 and 1985. This decrease was primarily due to recent prolific poppy harvests. Seizures thus far in 1985 included 120 kgs of heroin base (901 kgs in the first three quarters of 1984); 146 kgs of No. 3 heroin (140 kgs in 1984); 58 kgs of raw opium (39 kgs in 1984); 22 kgs of prepared opium (5 kgs in 1984); and 12 kgs of cannabis (19 kgs in 1984). Prosecutions for major drug offences increased by about 20% from 2,544 in 1984 to 3,061 in 1985.

Gambling

1.12

The number of people arrested for gambling offences in the first three quarters increased slightly from 7,633 persons in 1984 to 7,779 persons in 1985. These arrests resulted in the seizure of $1.5 million in cash in 1984 and $1.3 million in cash in 1985.

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