TNAG-2439-FCO40-3544-Hong-Kong-crime-1992 — Page 43

CONFIDENTIAL

XCCI(92)15

Proposed Measures

18

We propose the following additional measures to combat triad activities -

(a) the public should be encouraged to report and give evidence against triads who interfere in their daily lives;

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

an effective witness protection programme should be introduced. Consideration should also be given to relocating key witnesses overseas, particularly in cases where a reluctance to testify is due to genuine fear, or whereby non-attendance will jeopardize the prosecution's case;

greater emphasis must be placed on aggressive and imaginative campaigns directed towards those social groups most prone to triad extortion. Such publicity should also be targetted against recruitment of school children into triad societies;

legislation is required to provide law enforcement agencies with the necessary powers to arrest and prosecute triads successfully, as well as the authority to seize their assets obtained through illegal activities. Consideration is being given to these matters in relation to the Organised Crime Bill;

the Judiciary should recognise the insidious nature of triad offences so that the penalties meted out for such offences are commensurate with their gravity; and upon enactment of the Organized Crime Bill, it may be necessary to consider the establishment of a Task Force targetting organised crime syndicates. In addition, the importance of disruption is recognised through the implementation of overt Police operations, whereby known triad haunts and personalities are regularly targetted and their illegal activities interdicted.

Executive Council