XN000022-1990-06-02 — Page 8

SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1990

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TOP PRIORITY TO CURBING UNDERAGED PROSITUTION IN MONG KOK

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MONG KOK POLICE HAVE GIVEN TOP PRIORITY TO CURBING UNDERAGED PROSTITUTION IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST VICE ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.

DISTRICT OPERATIONS OFFICER, MR KWAN KAI-LUEN, SAID DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, POLICE CONDUCTED A TOTAL OF 22,226 RAIDS AGAINST SUSPECTED VICE ESTABLISHMENTS IN MONG KOK, PARTICULARLY TARGETTING THOSE EMPLOYING FOREIGN AND UNDERAGED GIRLS.

AT

DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDING MARCH 1990, 217 UNDERAGED GIRLS WERE LOCATED IN VARIOUS VICE RELATED PREMISES IN THE DISTRICT, OF WHOM 38 WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 16.

ACCORDING TO MR KWAN, SOME OF THESE GIRLS WERE FOUND WORKING IN "PRIVATE BROTHELS" WHICH WERE HIGHLY MOBILE AND WOULD ONLY ACCEPT KNOWN CUSTOMERS.

THEY

"SINCE THE MAJORITY OF THE UNDERAGED PROSTITUTES ARE VOLUNTARY, INVARIABLY REFUSE TO CO-OPERATE WITH POLICE," MR KWAN SAID. "IT CAUSES DIFFICULTIES IN THE PROSECUTION AND CONVICTION OF THOSE ARRESTED FOR OFFENCES CONNECTED WITH UNDERAGED GIRLS."

NEVERTHELESS, POLICE MAINTAIN CONSTANT ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST SUCH VICE ACTIVITIES UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WOMAN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE.

THREE VICE SQUADS AND ONE DISTRICT ANTI-TRIAD SQUAD HAVE BEEN FORMED TO TACKLE SUCH ACTIVITIES.

"LAST YEAR WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED 64 MEN AND THREE WOMEN WITH VARIOUS OFFENCES INVOLVING UNDERAGED GIRLS, MR KWAN SAID.

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FOR THOSE UNDERAGED GIRLS FOUND PRESENT IN THE VICE RELATED PREMISES, POLICE WILL BRING THEM BACK TO THE POLICE STATION TO SEE IF ANY VICE OFFENCES HAVE BEEN COMMITTED, OR A CARE AND PROTECTION ORDER IS NECESSARY.

IN 1989, A TOTAL OF 79 CARE AND PROTECTION ORDERS WERE APPLIED, OF WHICH 73 HAVE BEEN GRANTED.

VOTER REGISTRATION SLOGAN COMPETITION IN KWAI TSING

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A

THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE IS INVITING RESIDENTS TO JOIN

CAMPAIGN TO BE SLOGAN COMPETITION TO PROMOTE THE VOTER REGISTRATION HELD IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.

A KWAI ENCOURAGE OTHER

A SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT A SLOGAN CREATED BY TSING RESIDENT WOULD HIGHLIGHT DISTRICT IDENTITY AND RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REGISTRATION DRIVE.

/THE WINNING