TNAG-0521-FCO40-616-Visit-of-Lord-Goronwy-Roberts--Parliamentary-Under-Secretary-1975 — Page 162

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 11-17 JANUARY

BRIEF NO. 25: CRIME IN HONG KONG

1.

Over the last few years figures for violent crime, including homicide, have been increasing rapidly. The proportion of young people committing violent crime has also been increasing.

2.

Over the past two or three years the Governor has introduced a wide series of measures designed to combat this trend. One change was the right of the Crown to appeal to the Supreme Court against sentences it considers inadequate. Another was the establishment of a Detention Centre for young people designed to subject new young offenders to a short but rather sharp form of punishment. Other measures include the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for the possession of offensive weapons in a public place; new maximum sentencing powers for magistrates; new preventive detention provisions; a substantial rise in police pay and increased recruitment; and a successful recruitment campaign to add to the strength of the Auxiliary Police. The Governor also hopes to increase community involvement and a "Fight Violent Crime" campaign has recently been conducted in Ilong Kong. Apart from these measures, the Governor hopes that efforts to improve the quality of life for everyone, for example in housing, education, social welfare and recreation, will have a favourable long-term effect.

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.

7 January 1975

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