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obscene or indecent articles. Their concerted and sustained enforcement action had suppressed the more blatant retail activities, and many such operators had been forced to disperse from commercial arcades and generally reduced to smaller scale activity.
In view of increasing public concern about juvenile and youth crime, the committee requested the Social Welfare Department to report on action taken to address the problem of youth gangs. Having reviewed existing youth services, it suggested that resources be refocused by targeting districts where the problem was greater. The committee also asked the department to make an in-depth study of a particular 1997 murder case involving a juvenile gang. The findings would be considered in devising new strategies for preventing juvenile crime.
On the minimum age of criminal responsibility, the committee discussed a consultation paper issued by the Law Reform Commission. The merits and demerits of available options, especially raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility from seven to 10 or maintaining the status quo, were considered.
As the malpractice of throwing objects from a height in public housing estates had aroused public concern, the committee asked the Housing Department to report on the effectiveness of the falling object monitoring system installed in public housing. estates (the system involves closed circuit television, with round-the-clock recording facilities, at rooftop level). It was noted that the scheme had a deterrent effect and was strongly backed by estate residents. The committee supported the extension of the system from three test estates to more public housing estates.
Under the auspices of the committee, a sixth round of the Crime Victimisation Survey was conducted by the Census and Statistics Department in January (to provide 1998 figures). The survey is conducted every three to five years, and previous rounds took place in 1979, 1982, 1987, 1990 and 1995. The latest survey report was published in September after being endorsed by the committee. The findings provided useful information, which was complementary to police statistics, for planning anti-crime strategies and crime prevention measures as well as assessing the level of success in encouraging the public to report crime.
District Fight Crime Committees continued to play an important role in the fight against crime. These committees monitor the crime situation in districts and reflect community concerns on law and order issues. They help foster community awareness regarding crime prevention and encourage community participation in fighting crime. In October, all District Fight Crime Committee members participated in the Fight Crime Reception hosted by the committee. Apart from enhancing their communication with the committee, the forum provided an opportunity for members to get together to discuss crime and ways to combat it.
Police Force
The Hong Kong Police Force has operational responsibilities for prevention and detection of crime, maintenance of law and order, reduction of traffic accidents and prevention and detection of illegal immigration. The 35 072-strong force consists of 28 826 disciplined staff and 6 246 civilians. There are also 5 213 citizens serving in the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force.
Together with officers of other departments, police officers played an important role in the rescue operation after an airliner crashed in flames at the Hong Kong