ENG-1987 — Page 258

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Public Order

THE high priority given by the Hong Kong Government to the battle against crime is reflected in the work of the Fight Crime Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, which continued to provide advice and recommendations on areas of public concern and for the maintenance of law and order.

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The Royal Hong Kong Police Force is responsible for preventing and detecting crime. In tackling the illicit trade in drugs, the police maintain close liaison with the Customs and Excise Department, which also works closely with overseas law enforcement agencies to combat smuggling and to enforce the Copyright Ordinance.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption, which enforces the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and educates the community on the evils of corruption, also continued to play an important role in law enforcement.

The Correctional Services Department administers the penal system, runs rehabilitation and correctional programmes, and manages closed centres for Vietnamese refugees.

In the crowded areas of Hong Kong, fire fighting is not an easy task. The Fire Services Department, nevertheless, continued to work efficiently on fire protection, fire fighting and rescue work, and ambulance service.

Fight Crime Committee

The Fight Crime Committee continued to reflect the high priority given by the government to the fight against crime. It gave advice on a wide range of issues, such as triad and gang activities, the control of imitation firearms, approaches to juvenile crime and young offenders, nuisance caused by vice establishments, regulation of Hong Kong's security industry, and home security.

The menace posed by triads, gangs and organised crime continued to be the focus of much attention. The committee considered in detail the action to be taken following publication of the discussion document, 'Options for Changes in the Law and in the Administration of the Law to Counter the Triad Problem', which contains a number of legislative and other options aimed at making the fight against triads and organised crime more effective. Legislation was enacted to increase penalties for people convicted of offences related to triad membership. Draft legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal gambling is being prepared and draft legislation to give effect to a scheme of renunciation of triad membership is under consideration. A major publicity campaign was launched to warn people, especially the young, about the evil of triads and to discourage them from becoming involved with triads.

Government departments have been asked to look at areas under their responsibility in which triads and gangs might be operating and to consider tightening controls and changing procedures to prevent criminal activity.