XN000022-1984-12-04 — Page 4

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1984

THE MAIN SUBJECTS COVERED BY THE REPORT INCLUDE:-

USE OF FIREARMS IN CRIME

THE WORKING GROUP ON THE USE OF FIREARMS IN CRIME WILL SHORTLY PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO THE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION ORDINANCE TO BAN THE MANUFACTURE, IMPORT, SALE AND POSSESSION OF A +PRESCRIBED CLASS OF IMITATION FIREARMS+. THIS MEANS IMITATION GUNS WHICH, IN THEIR EXTERNAL APPEARANCE, HAVE A CLOSE RESEMBLANCE TO REAL FIREARMS. IT IS PROPOSED THAT POSSESSION OF SUCH IMITATIONS SHOULD BE AN OFFENCE.

THE GROUP HAS ALSO MONITORED AND ENCOURAGED EFFORTS TO COMBAT THE SMUGGLING OF GENUINE FIREARMS INTO HONG KONG.

ON JULY 3, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ENDORSED THE WORKING GROUP'S RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION AND USE OF GENUINE AND IMITATION FIREARMS IN THE FURTHERANCE OF CRIME. THEY BECAME LAW LATER THAT MONTH.

SECURITY OF HIGH RISK PREMISES

SHOPS IS STUDYING THE QUESTION OF SUCH PREMISES ENCORED

THE WORKING GROUP ON THE SECURITY OF GOLDSMITH AND JEWELLERY

TO KEEP RECORDS OF PURCHASES OF GOLD, JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND OTHER HIGH VALUE ITEMS. A DRAFT BILL IS BEING PREPARED AND THE VARIOUS TRADE ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE INVITED TO OBTAIN THE VIEWS OF THE IR MEMBERS.

THE GROUP REPORTED IT WAS ALSO RECEIVING GOOD CO-OPERATION FROM GOLDSMITH ASSOCIATIONS IN ITS EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE SHOPS WITH INADEQUATE SECURITY MEASURES TO MAKE THE NECESSARY

IMPROVEMENTS. A PILOT SCHEME INVOLVING MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AND OF THE POLICE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU WAS BEING ORGANISED WITH A VIEW TO VISITING SHOPS TO ENCOURAGE OWNERS TO TAKE THE MEASURES NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE IR PROPERTY.

COMMERCIAL CRIME

THE EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN JUNE THIS YEAR TO ENABLE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES TO GATHER EVIDENCE ABROAD AND TO HAVE IT ADMITTED IN LOCAL COURTS, AMENDING BILLS TO RELAX SECRECY PROVISIONS IN THE SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE WILL SHORTLY BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

THE STANDING LIAISON COMMITTEE ON COMMERCIAL CRIME IS ALSO CONSIDERING THE PROBLEMS OF COMPUTER CRIME, FREEZING OF THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME AND INERTIA SELLING WHEREBY LOCAL COMPANIES OBTAIN MONEY BY ISSUING INVOICES TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES WHICH RESEMBLE BILLS AND MISLEAD THEM INTO MAKING PAYMENTS.

/JUVENILE DELINQUENCY