XN000022-1979-02-14 — Page 31

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1979

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SHOP-LIFTING NOT INCREASING

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THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SHOP-LIFTING IS ON THE INCREASE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR. DAVIES SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR. THE HON. HO KAM-FAI ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF SHOP-LIFTING COMMITTED BY STUDENTS.

IF SO, DR. HO ASKED, WHAT MEASURES WERE BEING TAKEN TO REDUCE THIS TYPE OF JUVENILE OFFENCE.

MR. DAVIES SAID 30 PER CENT (366) OF THE 1,189 CONVICTIONS FOR THEFTS FROM SHOPS RECORDED LAST YEAR INVOLVED PEOPLE WHO DESCRIBED THEMSELVES AS STUDENTS, COMPARED WITH THE 1.2 MILLION STUDENTS HERE.

+ THE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU IS AVAILABLE TO ADVISE SHOPOWNERS ON HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR SECURITY SO AS TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF PILFERING, HE SAID.

BUT MODERN SELLING METHODS, HE EXPLAINED, IN WHICH GOODS ARE ARRANGED IN TEMPTING DISPLAYS AND IMMEDIATELY ACCESSIBLE TO POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS, POSE PROBLEMS IN ACHIEVING A DETERRENT.

+SOME SHOPS COMBAT THIS BY FITTING SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AND

A FEW EMPLOY STORE DETECTIVES, MR. DAVIES SAID.

+PARENTAL CONTROL AND THE INCULCATION OF STANDARDS OF HONESTY AND GOOD BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOLS AND IN ORGANISATIONS LIKE JUNIOR POLICE CALL ARE THE BEST METHODS OF DEALING WITH THIS SITUATION,+ HE ADDED.

EXHIBITION CENTRE

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO APPOINT CONSULTANTS TO DEFINE THE DEMAND FOR AND VIABILITY OF AN EXHIBITION CENTRE IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON. D.G. JEAFFRESON TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. ALLEN LEE, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID THAT AS REGARDS TO A SITE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD EARMARKED AN AREA IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST FOR THIS PURPOSE.

REITERATING WHAT HE TOLD THE COUNCIL IN NOVEMBER 1977.

MR. JEAFFRESON AGAIN STRESSED THAT AN EXHIBITION CENTRE WOULD BE EXPENSIVE, IN TERMS BOTH OF FINANCE AND OF LAND.

+SO BEFORE GOING AHEAD WITH THE PROJECT, THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE SATISFIED THAT THE DEMAND FOR A CENTRE IS THERE AND THAT THE CENTRE WOULD BE VIABLE.+

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