XN000022-1980-08-06 — Page 13

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1980

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PREVENT CRIME BY ADOPTING MODERN METHODS

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THOSE TRADING IN VALUABLE ITEMS SHOULD TAKE REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS BY ADOPTING MODERN CRIME PREVENTION METHODS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON PETER C. WONG, MR DAVIES SAID THAT TO DO SO WAS IN THEIR OWN AND THE COMMUNITY'S INTEREST AND THAT IT WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO REMOVING THE NEED FOR SECURITY GUARDS TO POSSESS FIREARMS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE POLICY REGARDING THE ISSUE OF ARMS LICENCES TO SECURITY GUARDS WAS REVIEWED REGULARLY.

SHOTGUNS AND REVOLVERS WERE THE WEAPONS USED AND, BEARING IN MIND THE STANDARD OF PROFICIENCY REQUIRED TO USE MORE ACCURATE HIGH VELOCITY ARMS, HE DID NOT ENVISAGE MUCH CHANGE IN WEAPONS.

MR DAVIES ALSO SAID ALTERNATIVES TO FIREARMS WERE ALSO KEPT UNDER REVIEW BUT THESE HAVE SERIOUS LIMITATIONS WHEN USED TO RESIST ARMED ASSAILANTS BECAUSE OF THEIR VERY SHORT EFFECTIVE RANGE.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THE DANGER OF THESE DEVICES FALLING INTO THE WRONG HANDS.

+OBVIOUSLY THE USE OF FIREARMS MUST BE KEPT TO THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM, ESPECIALLY IN CROWDED URBAN AREAS.

+MUCH MORE CAN AND SHOULD BE DONE BY THE OWNERS OF PREMISES TO IMPROVE PHYSICAL SECURITY BY INSTALLING SUCH RELATIVELY SIMPLE

ITEMS AS UNBREAKABLE GLASS, CAMERAS AND GOOD ALARM SYSTEMS,+ HE ADDED.

BILLS PASSED

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SEVEN BILLS WERE PASSED AND BECOME LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THEY ARE THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980- THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION BILL 1980- THE LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980- THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1980- THE WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980, THE MAGISTRATES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AND THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980.

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