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Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, at a media session at the ground floor lobby of the Central Government Offices West Wing after the Fight Crime Committee (FCC) meeting this afternoon (February 26):
Secretary for Security: The Fight Crime Committee has reviewed the crime situation of 2007. In general the law and order situation in Hong Kong remained stable. We have recorded a decrease in certain crimes, including burglary, robbery, theft of cars, and theft from vehicles. Of course there are certain crimes that have recorded an increase, including miscellaneous theft, serious drug offences, rape, criminal intimidation and criminal damage.
One particular subject we are particularly concerned about is youth drug abuse. Last year, there were over 2,700 cases of serious drug offences. Of these, 922 involved young people. This is a two-fold increase compared with figures in 2006. We consider it a very serious matter. That is why the Chief Executive has appointed the Secretary of Justice to head a task force to deal with the problem.
The Fight Crime Committee has also reviewed and considered the publicity plan for 2008-09. There are several themes -- "watch out for deceptions", "safeguard your property" and "combating youth drug abuse".
The Fight Crime Committee has also considered a paper submitted by the Commissioner of Police in respect of the commercial crime situation in Hong Kong. Dr John Tse will make a report on this.
Reporter: (on sex photo case)
Secretary for Security: The Government is very concerned about the incident of these photos being uploaded onto the web. Our Police Department has all the time been applying the law strictly in accordance with the laid-down procedures and chapter and verse of our ordinance. But I have also noticed there are certain comments on the way the incident was handled. There are also comments on the inadequacy of our law. The relevant policy bureau is now reviewing the related ordinance. I also wish to take this opportunity to appeal to parents and teachers to adopt an open and positive attitude to discuss this case with children and students to help them to build up their appropriate moral value. It is also to teach them that in exercising their freedom of speech and freedom of whatever, they should respect the right of other people, especially the right to privacy.
Reporter: (on youth drug abuse)
Secretary for Security: I think youth drug abuse is not restricted to Hong Kong. The same situation happens in other metropolitan cities. There are a number of reasons. First of all, people are getting more and more affluent. Secondly, there is an increase in the supply of these psychotropic drugs worldwide. Thirdly, unfortunately it has developed as sort of a subculture among our young people all around the globe. In tackling this problem of youth drug abuse, we need to take a holistic approach involving not only our law enforcement agencies. We have to involve our education partners, social workers and parents to take a very serious look at how we can cooperate to deal with the problem. Secretary of Justice is now heading a task force to examine measures and strategies to deal with this problem and we hope to mount a campaign in the coming June to involve all sectors of the community to tackle the problem.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:21
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