PRH 7 4000001
T
K GIS 新聞處
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
NEW ANTI-CRIME BILL
Friday, November 24, 1972
The first piece of proposed legislation designed to put into effect
the government's plan to crack down on the increasing incidence of violent
crime will be introduced into the Legislative Council on Wednesday (November 29).
The bill seeks to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of six months
imprisonment or a detention order for people convicted of possessing an offensive
weapon in a public place.
It also raises from two years to three years, the maximum punishment
for this offence.
The Attorney General, Mr. D.T.E. Roberts, said today that the imposition
of a mandatory minimum sentence was a departure from tradition.
"Nevertheless,
it is considered that the measure is justified, in order to deal with the growing
habit of gangs of young men carrying offensive weapons in a public place and of
using then for attack, or in the course of robbery."
The bill, known as the Public Order (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, also
seeks to give power to a police officer to stop and search people to ascertain
whether or not they are carrying offensive weapons.
At present a police officer can do this only if he reasonably suspects
that the person is carrying a weapon.
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/Mr. Roberts
Issued by Government Information Services, Beaconsfield House, Hong Kong. Tel: 5-233191