ENG-2014 — Page 308

Chapter 15

Public Order

Hong Kong remains one of the safest cities in the world. The overall crime rate (number of crimes per 100,000 population) fell by 7.8 per cent in 2014 while the violent crime rate fell by 9.5 per cent compared to 2013. The overall crime detection rate was 43.4 per cent.

Fight Crime Committee

The Fight Crime Committee (FCC), chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, provides advice and recommendations on the prevention and reduction of crime, co-ordinates crime- fighting efforts and monitors their results. In 2014, the FCC continued to monitor the overall crime situation, including the trend of various types of commercial crime, and the progress of the 'Police Superintendent's Discretion Scheme, an alternative to prosecution where young offenders are concerned. The FCC targeted online fraud, sexual assault, theft and drug abuse in its 2014 publicity strategy. The FCC also reviewed and discussed the overall drug situation in 2013.

Working with the FCC, the District Fight Crime Committees (DFCCs) monitor the crime situation at district level and reflect community concerns about law and order issues. They help foster community awareness of crime prevention and encourage community participation in combating crime through publicity programmes in the districts.

To reinforce closer links with the DFCCs, FCC members take turns to attend DFCC meetings and functions to exchange views on topical crime issues and discuss ways to combat crime.

Police Force

The Police Force's commitment to maintaining law and order helped ensure that Hong Kong remained one of the safest and most stable cities in the world.

At the end of 2014, the Police Force had an establishment of about 28,700 police officers and 4,600 civilian staff, reinforced by some 4,000 volunteers serving in the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force. A total of 231 inspectors and 1,110 constables were appointed during the year.

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