DECREASE IN TRIAD CRIMES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1990
4,391
THE NUMBER OF CRIMES INVOLVING TRIADS HAD DECREASED FROM CASES IN 1985 TO 2,587 CASES IN 1989, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON IAN STRACHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS REPRESENTED A REDUCTION OF 41 PER CENT OVER THE PERIOD, HE SAID IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ROSANNA TAM.
MR STRACHAN ALSO LISTED MEASURES WHICH HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED ADMINISTRATIVE OR LEGISLATIVE MEANS TO COMBAT TRIADS.
BY
THESE WERE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAD BEEN CONTAINED IN THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT "OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM".
THE ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES, WHICH WERE STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE PUBLIC, INCLUDED:
OMITTING ADDRESSES FROM WITNESS STATEMENTS TO BE THE DEFENCE;
SERVED ON
ALLOCATING, WHERE POSSIBLE, POLICE MANPOWER ΤΟ RESPOND ΤΟ WITNESSES WHO MIGHT BE INTIMIDATED;
TO REMOVE
ISSUING A NOTICE OF THE POWER OF THE COURT UNDESIRABLE PERSONS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY AND ΤΟ PROTECT WITNESSES;
INTRODUCTION OF ONE-WAY VIEWERS FOR IDENTIFICATION PARADES IN SUITABLE CASES; AND
USE OF THE TASK FORCE APPROACH TO INVESTIGATE TRIAD-BACKED ORGANISED CRIME.
MR STRACHAN SAID OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS, ALSO STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE PUBLIC, WHICH HAD BEEN, OR WERE BEING, IMPLEMENTED THROUGH LEGISLATION INCLUDED:
INCREASING THE FINES UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE FOR OFFENCES RELATED TO TRIAD SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP;
INTRODUCTION OF THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME;
FOR COMPLETION OF
(THIS THE
IMPOSITION OF HARSHER PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING ITEM WAS ON TODAY'S AGENDA LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES);
BETTER CONTROL OF NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH PROSTITUTION THIS WAS BEING EXAMINED BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP; AND
IMPOSITION OF HARSHER PENALTIES FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
/MR STRACHAN