Reply:
39 -
Mr President,
(a)
(b)
(c)
We have not kept specific statistics on lift shaft robberies on a territory- wide basis. However, we believe that the number of such cases is very small in comparison with the number of robberies occuring in lifts, which was 1,219 in 1993 and 1,221 in 1994.
The Police have adopted specific measures to tackle the occurrence of lift shaft robberies in consultation with the Housing Department and the Fire Services Department. In public housing estates, the lift compartments were sealed by way of a "spot-welding" method to prevent access from the trap door of the lift-car. The Police have also set up observation posts in the proximity of the plant areas in identified blackspots to closely monitor the situation. In so far as occurrence of such incidents in public housing estates in the new towns is concerned, we are aware that 8 cases were reported in Tuen Mun in 1993 but none in 1994; and none reported in Shatin in 1993 but 3 cases in 1994. There is no indication that this kind of robberies is on the rise or prevalent in the territory.
The Police have taken steps to tackle such robberies at two levels. At the district level, the district intelligence units scrutinise crime reports to identify emerging crime techniques and specific culprits active in particular areas. This approach offers the greatest flexibility in dealing with a crime which is carried out by a relatively small number of individuals, operating in localised areas most familiar to them.
At the headquarters level, the Crime Prevention Bureau of the Police Headquarters maintains close liaison with the Housing Department to advise on the provision of safety features in lift designs. Since November 1994, the Housing Department has also launched a major programme to upgrade the provision of security measures for all public housing estates. This includes the installation of close circuit televisions (CCTV) in the lift cars of all rental blocks which are linked to a control room for central monitoring. The system also permits residents to monitor any of the lifts in his block through a television set. Apart from the installation of CCTV's inside lifts, the Housing Department has also installed entrance gates with security-coded access and 24-hour tower- guard service in some of the estates. Patrol by estate officers is also provided as necessary. The proposed package to upgrade the security in public housing estates and other preventive measures adopted by the Police will help combat robbery cases occurring inside lifts.
End/Wednesday, March 1, 1995
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