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Chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Fight Crime Committee
provides advice and recommends measures to prevent and reduce crime. It
also coordinates crime-fighting efforts and monitors their results.
In 2003, the committee discussed a number of crime-related
issues. It examined the data in significant areas of commercial crime,
and noted that most commercial crimes committed in Hong Kong were small-scale,
often involving habitual criminals. As a result of law enforcement action
in 2001 and 2002, once prevalent frauds such as 'Loco-London gold', 'modelling
agency' and 'pyramid scheme related fraud' were successfully contained
at low levels.
With the relaxation of restrictions on Mainland residents
visiting Hong Kong in recent years, the committee registered concern over
crimes and illegal activities, including illegal employment, illegal gambling,
prostitution and overstaying, committed by Mainland visitors. The committee
welcomed the setting up of an inter-departmental task force in April to
tackle the problem. It noted the adoption of a three-pronged approach
by the task force, in collaboration with the Mainland authorities, to
impose an effective and stringent application process for the issue of
two-way permits and passports, to tighten up screening at Hong Kong immigration
control points and to enhance enforcement.
In addition, the committee noted the considerable
increase in criminal anti-social behaviour, including assaults on and
verbal abuse of police officers while executing their duties, during the
year. The Police Force has provided front-line officers with clear guidelines
and enhanced training to handle these situations. It has also stepped
up publicity and education to remind members of the public of their civic
responsibilities. The committee considered that good law and order was
important to Hong Kong's position as an international business centre,
and was supportive of the Police Force's strategies in tackling the problem
and would continue to closely monitor the situation.
The committee noted the findings of the Customer Satisfaction
Survey 2002 of various police services. As part of the Police Force's
quality improvement strategy, the survey was conducted by the University
of Hong Kong in October 2002 as the second survey within the four-year
survey cycle from 1999 to 2002, which showed that members of the public
having contacts with the police held a high opinion of the services rendered.
The committee also noted that another survey on the effectiveness of the
fight crime publicity campaign in 2001-02, commissioned by the Information
Services Department, had found the campaign successful in soliciting public
support in fighting crime.
On the rehabilitation of offenders, the committee
was informed of the Correctional Services Department's plan for undertaking
various publicity activities in 2003-04, targeting four community groups
including students, the general public, employers and the individual district
communities. The committee would continue to monitor the effectiveness
of such activities.
District Fight Crime Committees (DFCCs) continue to
play an important role in the fight against crime. These committees monitor
the crime situation in districts and reflect community concerns on law
and order issues. They help foster community awareness regarding crime
prevention and encourage community participation in combating crime and,
in addition, launch district fight crime publicity campaigns with funding
support from District Councils and other sponsorship. To reinforce the
close link between the committee and the DFCCs, the FCC members took turns
to attend DFCC meetings and functions.
The Police Force played an active role in the fight against SARS by seconding
senior officers to the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau as members of the
bureau's internal task force and the SARS Inter-Departmental Action Coordinating
Committee. The force also worked closely with the Department of Health
and other government departments in enforcing the Quarantine and Prevention
of Disease Ordinance.
The Major Incident Investigation Disaster Support
Section of the Police Force assisted the medical authorities in tracing
SARS contacts by using computer technology. This assistance drew praise
from Hong Kong's own medical and health authorities and also the World
Health Organisation.
Officers also took part
in escort duties for residents of Amoy Gardens who were moved to the designated
isolation centre in Lei Yue Mun, and undertook security duty at the centre throughout
the quarantine period. |
