TNAG-0397-FCO40-443-Problem-of-increase-in-crime-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 117

MR Cater presented a Silver Whistle to Woman Police Constable Chan Yuk-lin, at the passing parade at the Police Training School,

Fight Crime chief defends tough laws

4 1973 HIS

THE New Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Cater, yesterday defended the Colony's tough new laws to combat crime.

In a speech one day after his appointment to the Colony's third highest post, Mr Cater said people who criticised the new anti-crime laws held strong beliefs.

What they said must be respected; “But I believe, and I know the vast majority of the community would agree with me, that the situation is such that, at this time, we must think of the community as a whole and not solely of the rehabilitation of the individual".

Mr Cater, who is chairman of the fight Violent Crime Campaign committee, was speaking at a passing-out parade at the Police Training School.

le also spoke of criticisms that the Government is ignoring the basic causes of crime. "They and I count myself with them

believe that the causes of crime, especially violent crime, are complex and have ther roots in our society itself, that indeed the amount and type of crime is a reflection of our society.

He took the salute and inspected the parade of 11 probationary inspectors and 148 police constables, including 19 women.

He told them: "The challenge today is very different from that of six years ago, but it is nevertheless equally vital, and, in some ways, more difficult to overcome.

"The challenge today comes from the violent criminal who is tearing at the vital structure of our society and causing such extreme worry and concern among so many of our people".

Some would say this was a problem common to most big cities of the world and even claim it is the price to be paid for prosperity. "That may be true for some communities, but it is a policy of despair that we in Hongkong cannot and do not accept". He said he had no illusions about the struggle against the violent criminal being

easily or quickly won. In the short term, we had to curb the rate of increase in violent crime and, with the co-operation of the public in general, substantially increase the violent criminals' detection.

"Our ultimate aim must be a return of confidence in the community so that we may-once again be able to walk the streets of Hongkong at any time of the day or night in safety", he added.

----

}