XN000022-1985-06-04 — Page 5

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1985

WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH

THE WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH HAS STEPPED UP ITS EFFORTS THIS YEAR - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE YOUTH. IT HAS IDENTIFIED THE MANY EXISTING LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEALING WITH YOUNG OFFENDERS AND OTHER YOUNG PERSONS REQUIRING CARE AND PROTECTION. IT HAS SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS IN INDIVIDUAL AREAS, IN PARTICULAR -

(A) THE COMPILING OF STATISTICS TO HELP TO ASSESS

(B)

(C)

HOW EFFECTIVE EACH ARRANGEMENT IS

PROCEDURES FOR ADMITTING GIRLS INTO HOMES;

EDUCATION FACILITIES FOR YOUNG PERSONS ON REMAND: AND

(D) RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

DEPARTMENT ON THE AGE CRITERIA GOVERNING

ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION TO YOUNG OFFENDER PROGRAMMES.

THE WORKING GROUP IS FURTHER ASSESSING WHETHER (AND IF SO HOW) THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE ENHANCED AND, BETTER CO-ORDINATED, IN PARTICULAR BY ADAPTING THE CONCEPTS OF THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH' AUTHORITY TO HONG KONG'S NEEDS.

WORKING GROUP ON GANGS

THE FIGHT AGAINST ORGANISED CRIME IS A LONG AND HARD ONE, AND NO FAST RESULTS ARE EXPECTED. THE WORKING GROUP ON. GANGS DISCUSSED WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ACTIVITIES UNDER THE IR CONTROL WHERE GANGS MAY BE OPERATING WITH A VIEW TO MAKING LIFE FOR THE GANGS MORE DIFFICULT BY TIGHTENING THE CONTROLS AND CHANGING THE PROCEDURES.

COMMERCIAL CRIME

AS A RESULT OF ENACTMENT OF THE EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1984 TO ENABLE GATHERING OF EVIDENCE FROM PERSONS RESIDING OUTSIDE HONG KONG AND TO PERMIT ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH EVIDENCE IN COMMERCIAL CRIME CASES IN HONG KONG COURTS, THE COMMERCIAL CRIME UNIT HAS BEEN ABLE TO TAKE A NUMBER OF MAJOR PROSECUTIONS, WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE FOUNDERED.

AMONG OTHER ISSUES, THE STANDING LIAISON COMMITTEE ON COMMERCIAL CRIME IS ALSO CONSIDERING COMPUTER CRIME; FREEZING OF PROCEEDS OF CRIME, RELAXATION OF SECRECY PROVISIONS IN THE SECURITIES AND THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE: JURISDICTION TO PROSECUTE CRIME WHERE ANY MATERIAL ELEMENT IS COMMITTED IN HONG KONG: INERTIA SELLING; AND THE PENALTY FOR CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD.

/RESEARCH