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$ for S on Budget debate
Following is a speech by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, at the resumption of the Budget debate in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President,
At the debate on the Governor's Address in this Council on 2 November 1995, I outlined the policy directions in the Security Branch's programme areas, and the steps that we would take in the coming year to implement these policy directions. I am pleased to say that the provisions in the 1996/97 Budget enables us to fulfil our pledges.
To Meet the Community's Aspirations
Combating Crime
There is no doubt that the community places particular importance on the maintenance of law and order. Violent crimes, and triad-related crimes are the two areas where the average men or women in the streets are most concerned about. We have achieved substantive success in reducing violent crimes the violent crime rate has decreased by 6.4% in the past 3 years; more noticeably armed robberies have decreased by 44% during the same period. Triad-related crimes, however, have not shown a similar down-trend. We have, with the support of this Council, put in place the necessary tough legislation the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance; we have last year strengthened the intelligence capability of the Organised and Triad Society Bureau; we have put in place a witness protection scheme, and are planning to introduce new legislation shortly on change of identity for witnesses. In the coming year, the Budget provides for a substantial increase in the strength of Police Regional and District anti-triad units. I am grateful for Honourable Members' support for this proposal. When all these elements are put in place, we should see results in our unrelenting war against triads.
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We will also be giving relief to our hard-pressed Policemen at the front line, by taking a first (but by no means the only) step in providing leave and training reserves. Taking this and other proposals in the Budget into account, we will be increasing front-line Police strength in the coming year by 370 posts, which I also believe to be in line with the community's wishes and with this Council's wish.