ENG-2007 — Page 374

318 Public Order

well as illegal commission scams in the catering service industry. The department also investigated allegations of corruption and misconduct against public officers, such as abuses in awarding government contracts.

At year-end, the number of cases under investigation stood at 2 255, including 711 election-related cases. During the year, 353 people were prosecuted and 49 cautioned in accordance with the advice of the Department of Justice.

Despite challenges arising from the increased complexity of corruption cases and the evolving legal environment, the ICAC achieved a highly satisfactory case-based conviction rate of 85 per cent in 2007.

Prevention

The Corruption Prevention Department is authorised by law to examine the systems and procedures of government departments and public bodies to minimise corruption risks. The department accords priorities to vulnerable areas discovered in the course of corruption investigations or identified through consultation with the organisations involved.

During the year, the department conducted 92 corruption prevention reviews for government departments and public bodies, covering a wide range of subjects, such as food safety, land control and procurement of medical products. Public-private partnership projects, including the heritage tourism development project and the new cruise terminal, were also reviewed. In addition, the department also helped public sector organisations on 325 occasions to put in place corruption prevention measures in new policies, laws or procedures.

The department's Advisory Services Group (ASG) offers free and confidential advice to help private sector organisations strengthen their internal control systems. In 2007, the group rendered such service on 364 occasions.

During the year, the ASG produced two tailor-made 'Best Practice Modules' for the catering sector and supermarkets to strengthen corruption prevention in procurement, inventory control and other vulnerable areas.

Community Education

The Community Relations Department has a statutory responsibility to educate the public against the evils of corruption and to enlist their support for anti- corruption work. The department pursues these goals through the mass media, direct liaison with the public and programmes tailor-made for specific trades and professions.

During the year, the department organised more than 280 activities jointly with community organisations to disseminate anti-corruption messages across Hong Kong, reaching over 400,000 people.

To entrench a probity culture in the civil service, the department and the Civil Service Bureau jointly launched an ethical leadership programme in all bureaux and departments. Under the programme, senior officers were appointed as ethics officers to take charge of the planning and implementation of integrity building initiatives.