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battering, commissioned by the Social Welfare Department. It recommended that a multi-disciplinary approach should be adopted to handle the problem, supported by education, the vigilance of frontline workers and support for families at risk.

Apart from monitoring the crime situation during the year - including commercial crime the committee continued to check the progress of the Police. Superintendents' Discretion Scheme which enables an eligible young offender under the age of 18 to be cautioned by a police officer of the rank of superintendent or above as an alternative to criminal prosecution, and to receive aftercare services where appropriate.

After hearing of the positive feedback from a survey on the effectiveness of the Correctional Services Department's publicity initiatives to enhance the community's understanding of the needs and difficulties faced by inmates and rehabilitated offenders, the committee agreed that such activities should continue to enable the smooth re-integration of rehabilitated offenders into society.

Working in partnership with the Fight Crime Committee, District Fight Crime. Committees (DFCCs) continued to reflect community concerns on law-and-order issues. Through district-based fight crime publicity activities with funding support from District Councils and other sponsorship, the DFCCs helped foster community awareness regarding crime prevention and encouraged community participation in combating crime.

To reinforce their close links, the committee and the DFCCs exchanged feedback on the various issues they discussed and committee members also took turns to attend DFCC meetings and functions.

Police Force

The Hong Kong Police Force is committed to protecting the public, preventing and detecting crime, maintaining law and order, ensuring smooth traffic operations, reducing the number of traffic accidents and stamping out illegal immigration.

At year-end, the Police Force had an establishment of about 27 400 police officers supported by more than 5 000 civilian staff and reinforced by some 4 500 volunteers serving in the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force.

During the year, Hong Kong remained one of the safest cities in the world, with the Force sparing no effort in combating violent crime, triad activities and drug offences. The Police Force was also tasked with providing a safe and secure environment while maintaining law, order and public safety during the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Hong Kong Ministerial Conference held in December.

The Force continued to implement its revised 'Three-Year Strategic Action Plan' which sets out the focus of police work from 2003 to 2006 in order to provide the most efficient and effective service to the public.

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