The year 2000 saw a 14.7% fall in crime when compared to 1999. The total number of seizable offences ¹ dropped to 30,694 cases from the 35,982 cases recorded in 1999. The crime rate per 100,000 total population similarly fell from 924 cases in 1999 to 764 cases in 2000.

2. Theft-related offences² accounted for 60.2% of the total seizable offences. Offences in this category dropped by 14.8% – 18,465 in 2000 compared to 21,664 in 1999.

3.Of the nine index crimes, eight fell when compared to those of 1999. Property offences such as housebreaking, robbery, motor vehicle theft and snatch theft fell significantly by between 14% and 36%. Offences such as murder, cheating related offences, outraging of modesty and rape also declined. Only the offence of rioting - or fighting involving five or more persons - recorded a slight increase of 4.1% over that of 1999, after having plunged 33.2% in 1999 when compared to 1998. The comparative details are in the Annex.

1.Total seizable offences are based on reports of crimes, which eventually, may or may not be substantiated. They exclude Immigration Act Offences handled by the Police.

2.Theft-related offences include motor-vehicle theft, bicycle theft, snatch theft, shoplifting etc.