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Chapter IX Working Group on Gangs
INTRODUCTION
9.1
The Working Group on Gangs continued to identify areas of alleged triad or gang activity, and to ascertain the extent to which triads were involved in organised crime. It also continued to formulate proposals for dealing with specific problems in the areas it has identified.
TRIAD INVOLVEMENT IN HAWKING
9.2
As reported in Chapter IX of FCC Report No. 4, the Working Group found that there was a problem caused by triads and gangs in respect of hawkers. Gangs or triads are thought to be involved in the following activities, in return for protection money
9.3
(a)
(b)
(c)
leasing and the general allocation of spaces to illegal hawkers;
provision of "look out" services to give warning of the approach of General Duties Teams (GDTs) so that hawkers may evade arrest; and
obstructing GDTS and inciting illegal hawkers to resist arrest; stirring up public sentiment against arrests; and intimidating or confronting GDT staff.
It is possible that triads are also involved in the organised distribution of the goods the hawkers sell.
There are some 17,000 illegal hawkers on the streets at any one time in the urban areas and some 2,000 in the New Territories, mostly in Yuen Long. Such large-scale illegal hawking provides considerable potential for triad activity. The Working Group held several discussions with USD representatives and sought district officers' views on the hawker problem. The Working Group was informed that the Urban Council had initiated a review of its hawker policy and had formed a working party to oversee the review. In July 1985 the Director of Urban Services briefed the Working Group on the line being taken by the UC Working Party.
Review of hawker policy
9.4
The UC Working Party was also concerned about triad involvement in hawking. But it was considered that because of the "satisfied customer" situation, there were few complaints from hawkers about triad activity and successful detection and prosecution was difficult. The Working Party's line
generally was that to bring more hawkers within the law by licensing them would reduce the number of illegal hawkers and reduce the opportunities for triad activity.