Traffic cones are set ablaze by anti-government protesters on Sai Yeung Choi Street South in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, May 27, 2020. (PHOTO/CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong saw a 27.9 percent increase in crimes in the first half of this year, recording a total of 32,345 crimes, according to a press release issued by the Hong Kong Police Force on Wednesday.

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The increase was mainly attributed to the rise in crimes arising from “anti-extradition amendment bill” incidents, including arson, criminal damage, riots and unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapon and possession of unlawful instrument, which together recorded a jump of 52.1 percent from the same period of 2019.

By comparing the crime figures of the first half of this year with that of the second half of last year, the overall crime dropped slightly by 4.9 percent

There were 4,507 cases of violent crime, an increase of 13.5 percent from last year.

Other crimes that registered increases included deception, robbery, burglary and theft.

As the negative factors of the violent incidents in relation to the “anti-extradition amendment bill” in the past year have not yet fully subsided, the disobedience to law among some members of the public is growing, according to the press release. 

Moreover, community-wide mask-wearing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic has enabled criminals to conceal their identities more easily. It is difficult to restore the law and order situation to the level before the “anti-extradition amendment bill” incidents within a short period of time, according to the press release. 

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Nevertheless, by comparing the crime figures of the first half of this year with that of the second half of last year, the overall crime dropped slightly by 4.9 percent, according to the release.