XN000022-1990-11-17 — Page 2

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990

PARTNERSHIP NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY FIGHT CRIME

THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS RESOLUTE IN ITS COMMITMENT то ENSURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS A SAFE CITY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 1990 FIGHT CRIME CONFERENCE, SIR DAVID SAID THAT CRIME WAS A SOCIAL PROBLEM THAT MUST BE FOUGHT RELENTLESSLY.

NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT EFFECTIVELY FIGHT CRIME ON ITS OWN, SIR DAVID SAID THE PUBLIC HAD A VITAL ROLE IN THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER.

"EVERY ONE OF US HAS A CIVIC DUTY ΤΟ HELP THE POLICE BY REPORTING CRIME; BY BEING PREPARED TO COME FORWARD AS A WITNESS; AND BY TAKING PREVENTIVE MEASURES AT WORK AND AT HOME, HE SAID.

"

SIR DAVID EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC COULD FIGHT CRIME EFFECTIVELY.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, IN HIS CAPACITY AS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (FCC), ALSO SHARED THE VIEW THAT SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF THE COMMUNITY WAS VITAL.

"A SPECIAL PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WILL BE MOUNTED LATER THIS YEAR TO GET THIS MESSAGE ACROSS TO THE PUBLIC.

"THE CENTRAL THEME IS 'JOIN FORCES AGAINST CRIME' THROUGH PREVENTING, REPORTING AND PROVING CRIME," HE SAID.

IN SUPPORT OF THIS, MR MATHEWS SAID THE POLICE WERE REVIEWING PEPORTING PROCEDURES TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE PUBLIC TO PERFORM THEIR DUTY, WHILST AT THE SAME TIME SEEKING TO ASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT THEY WOULD BE PROTECTED AS WITNESSES.

ON THE OPERATIONS SIDE, THE POLICE WERE TAKING POSITIVE ACTION AGAINST THE HIERARCHIES OF TRIAD SOCIETIES AND THEIR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.

"TO CURB THE ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF FIREARMS IN HONG KONG, THE POLICE HAVE ALSO ESTABLISHED CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE GUANGDONG

AUTHORITIES.

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"THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE ALSO ACHIEVED SUCCESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING WITH SOME MAJOR SEIZURES, HE SAID.

REFERRING TO LEGISLATIVE MEASURES, MR MATHEWS SAID LEGISLATION AIMED AT TRIADS AND OTHER ORGANISED CRIMINAL ORGANISATIONS WAS BRING PREPARED.

THIS WOULD ENABLE THE COURTS TO CONSIDER ACTIVITIES OF ORGANISED CRIMINALS AND WOULD PENALTIES.

THE WHOLE RANGE OF PROVIDE FOR HEAVIER

/"STRONG FORFEITURE