Macau, China, June 18, 2026 (Lusa) - Violent crime in Macau rose by 12.5% in the first quarter of 2026, due to an increase in the number of drug trafficking cases, local authorities announced on Thursday.
According to the crime report published by the Office of the Secretary for Security of Macau for the period between January and March, a total of 63 cases of violent crime were recorded, seven more than in the same period of 2025.
Among the main types of crime, there was an increase in cases of drug trafficking and sale – classified as “violent crimes” – which rose from 12 to 19.
The territory’s law enforcement authorities stated that they had “stepped up cooperation in the fight against drugs” with postal services and the logistics and air transport sectors.
Other crimes showed less significant changes: cases of arson rose from 10 to 12 (+20%), those of theft from 10 to 11 (+10%), whilst child sexual abuse (5), kidnapping (8) and grievous bodily harm (1) maintained the same figures as the previous period.
On the other hand, there was a decrease in the number of rape cases, which fell from 10 to seven.
The data also shows that, in the first quarter of this year, 655 cases of crimes against the person were recorded, 90 more than in 2025.
Within this category of offences, there was a notable rise in cases of minor bodily harm, with the highest incidence in tourist spots, casinos, hotels and areas surrounding these establishments.
“In light of this situation, the police have stepped up patrolling and surveillance in high-risk areas and strengthened cooperation and communication with leisure businesses,” stated the authorities.
Also in the first quarter, 98 cases of cybercrime were recorded, 38.8% less than in 2025.
With regard to domestic violence, 24 cases were provisionally filed; however, as of 15 May, only two cases had been classified as domestic violence offences, 13 as offences against physical integrity, and nine remain under investigation.
In relation to gambling, the police initiated 585 cases, an increase of 3.2% compared with 2025. Among these, 119 cases involved the operation of illegal currency exchange for gambling purposes, a decrease of 9.8%.
Meanwhile, offences involving illegal loans for gambling and abductions linked to this activity totalled 45 and three cases respectively, representing falls of 11.8% and 40%.
In cases of illegal lending in Macau, it is common for criminal groups to hold gamblers captive in order to demand repayment of loans granted.
The Macau Security Bureau has assured that it will continue to apply the principles of “early prevention” and “technological enhancement”, whilst stepping up surveillance across the territory.
During the same period, Macau’s CCTV system in public spaces, known as “Eyes in the Sky”, was used to assist in the investigation of 2,906 cases, including serious violent crime such as robbery and arson.
Data on suicides – both completed and attempted – in Macau are no longer published in crime reports; the Judiciary Police previously justified this by stating that they lacked the authority to disclose such information as it did not involve criminal offences.
This data is now published by the Statistics and Census Bureau, which reported in May that there had been at least 15 suicides in the first quarter – two fewer than in the same period last year. 2025 ended with a record number of suicides, totalling 91.
The Macau government has also changed the format for releasing this crime data, with the traditional quarterly press conferences replaced by the online publication of reports, and in-person briefings now taking place only “when necessary”.
NCM/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
