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Reply:
Mr President,
We appreciate the concern of Honourable Member over the incidents mentioned in the question. However, they are separate and isolated incidents and do not represent a spread of violence in the territory. In fact, in the first three months of 1996, the overall crime rate and the violent crime rate both dropped by 8.4% and 10.2% respectively compared to the same period last year.
There is, however, no room for complacency because of these figures. We share the importance placed by the people of Hong Kong on the maintenance of law and order. In line with the community's and this Council's wishes, we have put additional resources in the last two years on increasing front-line Police manpower. In 1995/96, we created 400 posts of Police officers for front-line operational duties, of which 45 were assigned to anti-triad duties. In 1996/97, we have provided funds for creating over 350 posts for front-line operational duties, of which 227 would be devoted to anti-triad duties. As announced to this Council's Security Panel recently following the Whitehead incident, we will also be spending $65 million in improving the security of VM Camps.
Hong Kong remains one of the safest metropolitan cities in the world. We do not tolerate violent acts. We are also determined to uphold law and order. We have over the years been updating our legislation to support the work of the law enforcement agencies. We have deployed more resources, and upgraded their equipments to enable them to do a better job. We will continue to do so. Our law enforcement officers are well-trained professionals, and are determined to face the challenges ahead. There is no question of their morale suffering as a result of some high profile recent incidents.
End