XN000022-1973-06-28 — Page 2

Thursday, June 28, 1973

COMMENTS BEING SOUGHT ON SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME

The working group set up by the government to study the social

causes of crime in Hong Kong is inviting a number of groups and organisations

to participate in its study of this problem.

Mr. Peter Williams, the chairman of the working group, which is a

sub-committee of the Fight Violent Crime Campaign Committee, said today that

he had written to a number of bodies, including the two universities, the

Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the Bar Association, and the Hong Kong

Federation of Students.

"We know that their own studies in this field will make a very useful

contribution to our work," said Mr. Williams. "And similarly we hope that

other organisations who may wish to comment on the social causes of crime because

of their close association with the problem at a working level, will be able

to do so.

"It would be helpful if we received written material in the first

instance, which would be followed by discussion where this was necessary.

He said it was natural for nearly every member of the community to

have his own views and theories on the factors contributing to the rise in

the incidence of violent crime over the last year or so

current campaign aimed at curbing this growth.

—

and leading to the

For this reason, his working group would also be happy to have the

views of any individual member of the community which should be submitted in

writing so that the group can have the opportunity of studying them in detail.

Mr. Williams