TNAG-1555-FCO40-2119-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 72

3.4

(c)

(a)

19

operations striking at the sources of income of gangs and organised crime syndicates. These operations include attacking such activities as drug trafficking, bookmaking and vice establishments which provide the finances for gangs; and

regular ground-level operations, exemplified by saturation coverage of specific areas at specific times to check thoroughly all activities and persons in the vicinity.

This response by the Police takes place at all levels of the Force. There are substantial resources deployed at police headquaters, regional headquarters and in each district to deal with triads and organised crime. For operational reasons and the need to give no assistance to the triads in countering police action, it would not be appropriate to set out in detail the manner in which the resources are deployed and the method by which they are coordinated.

3.5

Traditional police methods have had some success in tackling what is a large and serious problem. Small scale or emerging organised crime syndicates and street level gang activity are, generally, dealt with effectively by regional and district police units.

3.6

As the gangs and organised crime become more sophisticated, including technologically

sophisticated, in their methods, the Police must and do respond to counter it. But to be more effective, new measures need to be developed.

THE RESPONSE OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE

Introduction

3.7

In recognition of the increasing crime problem, the Fight Crime Committee [FCC] was reconstituted in May 1983 with the Chief Secretary as the Chairman. The committee co-ordinates the Government's fight to reduce all crime and is particularly concerned with triad related crime. Following a police review of the triad problem, drawn up in December 1983, the Government took a number of steps further to improve and to upgrade its co-ordinated attack on triads.

3.8

The Working Group on Gangs [WGOG] of the FCC was formed in April 1984 to consider all aspects of gang activity, to determine an overall strategy, to review existing legislation and legal procedures and to co-ordinate the strategy determined upon.