Chapter 16

Public Order

The law and order situation in Hong Kong remained stable in 2011. The overall crime rate (number of crimes per 100 000 population) fell by 0.7 per cent while the

violent crime rate fell by 4.2 per cent compared to 2010. The overall crime detection rate was 42.5 per cent. Hong Kong retained its position as one of the safest cities in the world.

Fight Crime Committee

Established in 1973 under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Fight Crime Committee (FCC) provides advice and recommendations on the prevention and reduction of crime, co-ordinates crime- fighting efforts and monitors their results.

In 2011, the FCC continued to monitor the overall crime situation and the trend of various types of commercial crime. It also kept under review the progress of the 'Police Superintendent's Discretion Scheme', which serves as an alternative to prosecuting young offenders.

In addition, the FCC offered its views on the implementation of the Sexual Conviction Record Check Scheme with a view to enhancing protection of children and mentally incapacitated persons from sexual abuse.

The Standing Committee on Young Offenders, a sub-committee under the FCC, monitored the trend of crimes involving juveniles and young persons. The sub- committee discussed factors which affect the involvement of juveniles and youths in crime and proposed preventive and remedial measures to tackle the problem.

During the year, the FCC adopted a total of four schemes for several publicity campaigns, entitled 'Beware of Telephone Deception', 'Beware of Pickpockets', 'Protect Yourself from Sexual Assault' and 'Stand Firm! Knock Drugs Out!' having regard to the crime situation in 2010 and in continued support for the territory-wide campaign against youth drug abuse carried out by the Government since June 2008.

District Fight Crime Committees (DFCCs) continued to play an important role in the battle against crime by monitoring the situation at district level and reflecting

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