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represented only 3.4 per cent of the 73 008 reported crimes overall. The figure has been declining in the past five years, by an average of 3.5 per cent.
There were 2019 crime and 12 639 non-crime reports relating to debt collecting activities, compared with 2 498 and 8 753 reports, respectively, in 2000. Such crime reports had been on a downward trend since 1999, after police took effective enforcement action. However, the number of non-crime cases involving harassment of debtors had been rising steadily.
A subcommittee was formed under the Law Reform Commission to study ways to tackle the problem of abusive debt collection practices including, among other things, the licensing of debt collection companies. The Administration would consider the way forward upon the announcement of a final recommendation by the commission. Besides this, the Administration was studying the recommendations made by the commission on introducing legislation that would make ‘stalking' an offence.
During the year, 38 people were charged with offences under the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance, and the courts ordered crime proceeds amounting to $5.18 million to be confiscated. A further $894 million was restrained pending court proceedings. Close liaison with Mainland authorities and overseas law enforcement agencies was maintained in the fight against international money laundering, resulting in the successful detection of a number of significant cases.
There were three successful applications to enhance the sentences of imprisonment passed on defendants involved in triad-related and organised crimes. On average, the length of sentence was increased by 33 per cent.
Witness Protection
The Witness Protection Programme is administered by the Police Witness Protection Unit. The unit provides a wide range of protective measures, including a change of identity, which are tailor-made to the needs of individual witnesses assessed as being exposed to a genuine threat of serious physical injury or death. It also assists and advises other units and divisions in the Police Force on protection of witnesses who are under a lesser threat.
Child Protection
In 2001, the five Regional Child Abuse Investigation Units investigated a total of 109 child abuse cases (103 of sexual abuse and six of serious physical abuse). The figure decreased by 3.5 per cent compared with a total of 113 cases in 2000. To protect the welfare of children, a multi-disciplinary approach was adopted in handling child abuse cases. Joint investigations were conducted with officers of the Social Welfare Department (SWD) in cases that required immediate social work intervention.
Interviews of children are conducted in one of the five child-friendly video interview suites located in non-police premises. These suites are equipped with advanced facilities for forensic examinations.
In 2001, the Police Force and the SWD organised three joint training programmes for 64 police officers and SWD officers in special investigations relating to child protection. Officers from the Child Protection Policy Unit (CPPU) also gave lectures in public education and publicity programmes on the prevention and handling of child abuse for parents and concerned professionals from the Government and non- governmental organisations.