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between 1 and 4 years' imprisonment. Mr. S.L. Chen's average of 8 months reflects the fact that the bulk of these cases are dealt with in the
Magistrates' Courts.
Members may also be pleased to know that
the level of violent crime has continued its downward trend in the first three quarters of 1986. In particular the number of robberies reported decreased by 17.8% compared with the same period of
last year.
On the face of it there is no cause for
Members to be unduly concerned.
Mandatory minimum sentences
Mr. S. L. Chen proposed the introduction of
fixed minimum sentences as a means of further reducing the crime rate in respect of the offences of rape, robbery and theft.
The Government views mandatory minimum sentences as a measure of last resort in its fight against crime, to be kept in reserve in case there is a surge of serious criminal activity. Mandatory minimum sentences have not found favour in other
common law jurisdictions.
The flexibility that has been carefully built into sentencing policy in Hong Kong allows the Courts to strike a balance between the need for condign and deterrent punishment reflecting the
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