Chapter 16
Public Order
Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world. The overall crime rate, meaning the number of crimes per 100,000 population, fell 9.2 per cent in 2016 while
the violent crime rate fell 7.4 per cent compared with 2015. The overall crime detection rate was 47.3 per cent.
Fight Crime Committee
The Fight Crime Committee (FCC), chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, provides advice and recommendations to prevent and reduce crime, coordinates crime-fighting efforts and monitors their results. In 2016, it monitored the overall crime situation, the trend of commercial crime, the progress of the Police Superintendent's Discretion Scheme, youth crime, the drug situation and the Correctional Services Department's publicity campaign for rehabilitated people. Deception, sexual assault, theft and drug abuse were targeted in its 2016-17 publicity strategy.
Working with the FCC are the 18 District Fight Crime Committees (DFCCs) monitoring the crime situation at district level and reflecting community concerns about law and order. They heighten community awareness of crime prevention through publicity programmes in the districts.
The FCC organised an annual dinner and the Fight Crime Conference in March and December respectively to reinforce closer links with the DFCCs. FCC members also took turns to attend DFCC functions to exchange views on topical crime issues and discuss ways to combat crime.
Police Force
The Hong Kong Police Force's commitment to maintaining law and order helps ensure Hong Kong remains one of the world's safest and most stable cities.
At the end of 2016, the police had about 29,300 police officers and 4,600 civilian staff, reinforced by some 3,300 volunteers serving in the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force. It appointed 101 inspectors and 1,073 constables during the year.
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