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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, at a media session after the Fight Crime Committee meeting this afternoon (April 26):
Secretary for Security: This afternoon the Fight Crime Committee has reviewed the crime statistics for the first quarter of 2007. Overall, the crime figures including violent crime figures rose by four to five percent. The types of crimes that have registered an increase include theft, deception, wounding and serious drug offences. There are also a number of crimes registering a decrease like all types of robbery, burglary and homicide. By and large, the law and order situation in Hong Kong is still very stable. The number of visitors committing offences still remains on the low side. In this quarter, we have witnessed an increase in the number of juvenile offenders, an increase of about 17% or 18% compared with the figure of the corresponding period last year. But, by and large, the law and order situation in Hong Kong remains stable and Hong Kong is still a very secure and safe city.
Reporter: ... on juvenile crimes with a 17.5% increase. Basically, what sort of crimes do they commit ... ?
Secretary for Security: (They are) mainly shop theft, fighting and wounding those sort of crimes. I think, we have to wait and see whether this is some sort of seasonal fluctuation. You asked what measures we will take to tackle the problem. The measures Mr Tao kwok-lau just mentioned are some educational and promotional activities conducted by the Correctional Services Department. I think we should step up these kinds of youth activities, educational and promotional activities in educating our young people not to commit any crimes or not to violate the law. I think these are the basic things that we should do.
Reporter: On domestic violence, more people are willing to come forward nowadays as a result of publicity and measures being taken by the Government...
Secretary for Security: As you say, after the publicity we have mounted in the past two years and the occurrence of some very high profile cases, people are encouraged to come forward. That is why in some sort of family disputes, they will come forward under the sort of "domestic violence". Of course, not every case involves the sort of use of force. But somehow we encourage people to come forward and of course, if there is use of violence and violation of the law, the Police will take it up. Otherwise, the Police will co-operate with our social workers and refer those cases to the Social Welfare Department, to our social workers. I wouldn't treat it as a sort of worrying trend. I think we should encourage people to come forward.
Reporter: Why is there a sharp increase in drug seizure particularly in "ice" and "ecstasy" this year?
Secretary for Security: I think we adopt a "zero" tolerance policy in respect of drugs. The Police and the Customs and Excise Department have stepped up their efforts on every front at our control points to intercept the import of contraband, to mount operations at various vice spots where we think the uses of drugs are frequent. They have also stepped up their intelligence and operations to tackle these syndicates.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, April 26, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:56
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