A high rate of detection
The key deterrent is a high rate of detection, regardless of punishment. We must continue to increase support for our excellent Police Force, in manpower as well as in equipment and in fostering stronger links with Guangdong province. The recent dramatic success in curtailing smuggling activity is a perfect example of the measures which reduce crime. The key measures were new strategies, deployment
of more appropriate resources, and co-operation between various authorities in both Hong Kong and Guangdong.
The attempted robbery on Sunday at Taipo was an excellent example of the effective and rapid action by the police and of the high level of cooperation between them and the public.
Sir, our object must be to protect potential victims by making it clear to criminals that they will be caught. Protection of the innocent, rather than revenge against the perpetrators must be our objective.
Cultural differences
I turn now to the so-called "cultural differences". This is highlighted by the Liberal Democratic Federation's letter to OMELCO, which states "that it is intolerable that the right to life sentiments prevalent in Britain should be imposed on Hong Kong people who disagree entirely with such a view." On the contrary, the response to events in China in June 1989 show that a great many Hong Kong people do indeed share the right to life sentiments of other people around the world. To suggest that such sentiments are being imposed is nonsense and to suggest that Hong Kong people do not have them is insulting.
In addition, recent public opinion polls in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom do not support the cultural difference point. They show that marginally more people in the United Kingdom supported re-introduction than the number in Hong Kong who support the status quo. If there had been a far higher level of support in Hong Kong than in the United Kingdom for the death penalty, the argument would have had some validity.
A call for a simple "yes" or "no" response in an opinion poll does not allow people to think through the implications. When UK respondents who at first voted in favour were probed further, the percentage of supporters dropped to below 50%. Although no formal survey has been done in Hong Kong, informal research suggests the same conclusion.
I am saddened that those campaigning for signatures last Sunday in support of the death penalty used an effigy of someone being hung to raise public emotion. Such crude publicity is surely unacceptable in
a civilised society.
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