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18 PUBLIC ORDER
HONG KONG remains one of the safest cities in the world. The overall crime rate increased slightly in 1994, mainly due to increases in petty crimes such as shop theft and other miscellaneous theft, but violent crime continued to decline for the fourth year in succession.
In the fight against organised and other serious crimes, the police effort was further enhanced in 1995 with the full implementation of the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance, whereby proceeds of these crimes may be confiscated, and the estab- lishment of the Witness Protection Unit.
In June 1995, a Hong Kong-bound jetfoil from Macau was hijacked and robbed of about $10 million. Joint investigations by police in Hong Kong, China and Macau - resulted in prompt detection of those responsible and recovery of the stolen property.
The Organisational Structure
The Fight Crime Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, provides valuable advice and puts forward recommendations on areas of public concern and on measures to improve the maintenance of law and order.
The Royal Hong Kong Police has operational responsibility for crime prevention and detection; the maintenance of law and order; traffic matters and the detection of illegal immigration, other than at entry and exit points.
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Fight Crime Committee
In 1995, the Fight Crime Committee continued to provide advice on measures to combat crime. Specific subjects considered included the social causes of juvenile crime, the crime victimisation survey, and the extension of the Police Super- intendents' Discretion Scheme to include certain drug offences. The committee also monitored the progress of the Neighbourhood Watch Trial Schemes, the imple- mentation of legislation to counter organised and serious crimes and regulate the security and guarding services industry, and launched a publicity campaign to fight youth crime.
The Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance aims to effectively tackle organised crime, including triad-related crime, and other serious crimes through, among other things, enhanced investigative powers and provisions for heavier sentences. It was put into full operation in April and updated in July this year.
The Security and Guarding Services Ordinance is aimed at regulating the security and guarding services industry through the licensing of security companies and the
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