Chapter 16
Public Order
The law and order situation in Hong Kong remained stable in 2012. The overall crime rate (number of crimes per 100,000 population) fell by 0.9 per cent while the violent crime rate fell by 3 per cent compared to 2011. The overall crime detection rate was 43.6 per cent. Hong Kong retained its position as one of the safest cities in the world.
Fight Crime Committee
The Fight Crime Committee (FCC), chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, provides advice and recommendations on the prevention and reduction of crime, co-ordinates crime- fighting efforts and monitors their results. In 2012, the FCC continued to monitor the overall crime situation, including the trend of various types of commercial crime. It also launched publicity campaigns targeting deception, theft, sexual assault and drug abuse. The FCC kept under review the progress of the 'Police Superintendent's Discretion Scheme, an alternative to prosecution where young offenders are concerned. It also agreed that the publicity activities for rehabilitated persons had been useful and should be continued to assist their reintegration into the community.
Working with the FCC, the District Fight Crime Committees (DFCCs) monitor the situation at district level and reflect community concerns about law and order issues. They help foster community awareness of crime prevention and encourage community participation in combating crime through publicity programmes in the districts.
To reinforce closer links with the DFCCs, FCC members took turns to attend DFCC meetings and functions to exchange views on topical crime issues and discuss ways to combat crime. In December 2012, DFCC members participated in the FCC's Fight Crime Conference, which provided a useful forum for discussion of crime issues of public concern and exchange of views on ways to combat crime.
Police Force
The Hong Kong Police Force's strong commitment to maintaining law and order ensured that Hong Kong continued to be one of the safest cities in the world for residents and visitors. At the end of 2012, the Police Force had an establishment of about 28,400 police officers and 4,700
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