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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the remarks made by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, at a media session at the ground floor lobby, West Wing, Central Government Offices, after the Fight Crime Committee meeting this afternoon (October 6):
Secretary for Security: The Fight Crime Committee has reviewed the crime situation for the first eight months of this year. In general, the crime situation is steady. The number of overall crime has recorded a drop of 3.2%. Of violent crimes, we have recorded a drop of 3.4%. Many types of crime have recorded a drop, like shop theft, serious drug offences. But there are some increases in certain types of crime like burglary, indecent assault and miscellaneous theft. What is encouraging is that we have witnessed a drop in serious narcotics offences. In particular, we have witnessed a drop in juveniles committing serious drug offences and the drop was as much as more than 30%. This indicates that the government's policy in tackling young drug offences and young drug offenders is gaining momentum. By and large, the law and order situation in Hong Kong is quite stable and the crime figures remain at a very low level.
Reporter: Same question about indecent assault and the sexual offences. What is being done to address the problem of rising number of indecent assault cases? Who are the victims and how young they are talking about?
Secretary for Security: Many of these cases took place in public transport especially like the Metro during rush hours. Sometimes the victims involve students and young people. They make acquaintances through the net. So in the coming year, the Police will step up promotion campaigns in one thousand odd secondary and primary schools telling our young people to be careful to make friends on the net.
Reporter: How young are the victims?
Secretary for Security: I don't have the figure but certain percentages are people under 21.
Reporter: Regarding the Philippines hostage incident, has the report been submitted to Coroner's court?
Secretary for Security: The Police are still working on the report. We hope to submit an initial report to the Coroner's office shortly. But I must point out that there are certain specialist reports still pending for finalising. After we have completed the enquiry, we will submit a full report to the Coroner and we will urge the Police to work as speedily as possible.
Reporter: Regarding the transgender case yesterday, is the government addressing the issue at all?
Secretary for Security: As pointed out by the learned judge, the issue covers a wide spectrum of concern within the community. The government feels it is necessary that we should look at and continue to look at the issue and consult the community on the way forward.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:39
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