Transcript of remarks by S for S after FCC meeting
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     Following is a transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, at a media session at Central Government Offices, Tamar, after the Fight Crime Committee meeting this afternoon (February 27):

Secretary for Security: The Fight Crime Committee has conducted a review on the overall crime situation of 2011. Generally, the law and order situation in Hong Kong was rather stable. The number of overall crimes in 2011 was quite stable, when compared with the figures of 2010. What is encouraging is that the number of violent crimes had decreased by 3.3 per cent. The crimes that had recorded a decrease included shop theft, theft from vehicle, criminal intimidation, homicide and rape. And of course, there are other crimes that had recorded an increase, like deception and pickpocketing. The number of serious drug offenders (arrested) had also decreased, especially among youngsters, by as much as 11 per cent.

     The Fight Crime Committee has also discussed the publicity campaign strategy for 2012 to 2013. We have identified a number of themes. The first one is "Beware of Deception", the second one "Mind Your Belongings", the third "Guard against Sexual Assault" and the fourth one "Stand Firm! Knock Drugs Out". Now the overall crime situation in Hong Kong is stable and Hong Kong is still a very safe and secure place to live in the world.

Reporter: (On legislation regarding insulting police officers and the increase in drug seizures.)

Secretary for Security: I think it's only fair to say that policemen are exercising their authority and preserving the law and order in Hong Kong to protect the property and life of Hong Kong residents. They should be respected. But in the past few years, we have noticed that there were a number of occasions that residents or people challenged Police's power to preserve the law and order in Hong Kong. Sometimes they have abused by sort of languages and sometimes they have assaulted police officers. I think that sort of thing should not be encouraged. Now, at this point in time, we have no intention to legislate in the way you just mentioned, but if things deteriorate, we do not rule out this possibility.

     The second question on the increase in drugs seized last year, I think it was mainly because the enforcement agencies, mainly the Police and Customs departments, have stepped up their enforcement actions and have taken positive actions at our control points. The majority of these drugs were seized at our control points, except for the case of cocaine, which was through co-operation with overseas agencies and the investigations of our Police department. We had cracked a major cocaine smuggling syndicate in Hong Kong. We had a record seizure of cocaine last year.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Monday, February 27, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:24

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