ENG-2006 — Page 378

310 Public Order

awareness of domestic violence created by the Government's publicity and education campaigns, and more people now see the importance of seeking early assistance.

The Force is committed to responding promptly and professionally to all reports of domestic violence through a series of enhanced measures and training for frontline officers in handling and investigating these cases.

In November, an emergency referral questionnaire was introduced as an effective risk assessment tool to assist officers in identifying risk factors and in taking appropriate actions to deal with domestic violence cases. At the same time, special units were set up to investigate serious domestic violence cases. Frontline supervision and management at divisional level are strengthened during the initial stages of investigation to ensure closer collaboration with welfare units. Training to enhance officers' awareness of family dynamics, sensitivities and cross discipline exchanges will be the focus in future.

Commercial Crime

The Commercial Crime Bureau continued to carry out actively intelligence-led investigations into syndicated crimes, serious fraud, counterfeit and forgery cases as well as technology crimes.

Collaboration with the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), the payment card industry and courier service companies resulted in the interception and seizure of 95 per cent of all of the 2 991 counterfeit credit cards seized during the year.

Technology crimes rose by 13.5 per cent in 2006 compared with 2005, but they were mostly minor offences. The Technology Crime Division continued to maintain close contact with its regional and local partners.

Narcotics

Tackling the illicit drugs problem was a prime task of the Police Force during the year. The Police played an active part in anti-drugs campaigns carried out in schools and throughout Hong Kong.

The number of people arrested for drug-related offences increased during the year. In particular, there was a significant rise in arrests related to ketamine. There was also a substantial rise in the amount of the drug seized. The total haul comprised several large seizures including one that weighed a record 549 kilogrammes.

With the rise in popularity of cocaine in recent years, action against trafficking in this drug was stepped up, resulting in an increase in the number of cocaine-related arrests made in 2006.

Numerous attempts by traffickers to smuggle drugs across boundaries were foiled and many arrests were made as a result of close collaboration among government agencies in Hong Kong, the Mainland and other jurisdictions. A number of illicit drugs factories in the Asia-Pacific region were torn down and several large consignments of drugs were prevented from reaching their markets.