TNAG-1364-FCO40-1810-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1986 — Page 67

Question No. 9

A reply by the Hon M D Theras, CNG, "CC, Attorney General,

to a cuestion by the Lcr Peter Core, CEE, JP

in the Legislative Council cn Lecrescav, 4 Decerber 1985

Question:

Is Government satisfied that the existing law on loitering is fair and equitable, and if sc

(a) is it performing a useful function in cur efforts tc

combat crime; and

(b)

is it being enforced in a satisfactory manner?

Reply:

The loitering provisions, contained in Section 160 of the

Crimes Crċinance, have been in operation since 1979. They were

enacted in response to requests by the police for powers to combat a

growing threat posed to the Community in Fong Kong by small gangs and

individuals who linger in public places and the common parts of

public housing estates awaiting opportunities to commit crimes such

as handbag snatching, pickpocketing, thefts from cars and robberies

1

upon women.