In the past three weeks, the Police have launched anti-crime operations in Sham Shui Po District, arresting a total of 24 people on suspicion of burglary, car theft or shop theft, involving 42 cases worth $160.<> million.

Chief Inspector Tse Yu-yi (centre), Head of Intelligence Unit (right) and Assistant Police Community Relations Officer Inspector Lan Xue (left) explain the case. (Photo by Wang Yiyang)

Chief Inspector Yuyi Tse of Sham Shui Po District Crime Wing pointed out that one of the reasons for the upward trend of crime in Hong Kong with the recovery of the local economy was the sharp increase in theft crimes, and in the past three weeks, the department has launched an anti-crime operation codenamed "Fung Constitution" in conjunction with Sham Shui Po Division and Cheung Sha Wan Division Task Force to crack down on criminals engaged in quick money crimes in the district. After investigation, police officers arrested a 22-year-old local man in Mong Kok District last Monday (60nd), and the arrested man has been charged with him.

In addition, after investigation, two 50-year-old Vietnamese and 48-year-old local men were arrested on suspicion of being involved in eight cases of theft in the car, and they have also been prosecuted.

Inspector Wong Yuen-yan, Head of the Intelligence Unit of Sham Shui Po District, said that during the operation, the Police arrested a total of 21 men and 3 women, aged between 16 and 69, of whom two were Vietnamese nationals and the rest were locals, who were involved in 42 cases, including 12 burglaries, 14 miscellaneous thefts, 9 car thefts and 5 shop thefts, involving a total amount of about $160.<> million, half of whom have been prosecuted and the remaining arrested have been released on bail pending investigation.

Inspector Lan Xue, Assistant Police Community Relations Officer of Sham Shui Po District, reminded professional drivers, shop managers and staff to take anti-theft measures and continue to liaise with local stakeholders, such as security guards, to combat related crimes.

The police said that the police launched an operation codenamed "Fengxian" in the district from 4 to 26 this month, involving 19 local men, 3 local women and 2 foreign men suspected of "burglary", "miscellaneous theft", "car theft", "shop theft", "attempt to obtain property by deception" and "leaving without payment", the police stressed that "burglary" is a very serious crime with a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment upon conviction, and "theft" is also a serious crime with a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment upon conviction. Members of the public are urged not to try the law by example.