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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, in the Legislative Council today (November 2):
Questions:
Recently, I have received many complaints from members of the public that Internet computer services centres (commonly known as "Internet cafes") operating in the vicinity of residential buildings cause nuisances and deterioration in law and order. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective numbers of Internet cafes at the end of June this year and in each of the past three years;
(b) of the number of complaints received in each of the past three years by the relevant authorities about the nuisances caused by Internet cafes or their customers to nearby residents;
(c) of the number of reports on crimes involving Internet cafes received by the Police in each of the past three years; and
(d) whether it will consider regulating the operation of Internet cafes so as to ensure public peace and safety in the community; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) According to our records, the number of Internet computer services centres (ICSCs) (commonly known as "Internet cafes") as at July 31 of 2002 to 2005 are as follows:
2002: 317
2003: 312
2004: 249
2005: 208
(b) The number of complaints received from January 2003 to September 2005 by the relevant authorities against nuisance caused by ICSCs or their customers to nearby residents are as follows:
January to December 2003: 17
January to December 2004: 9
January to September 2005: 6
These complaints mainly related to noise problems.
(c) The number of reports on crimes involving ICSCs received by the Police from January 2003 to September 2005 are as follows:
January to December 2003: 284
January to December 2004: 169
January to September 2005: 105
Of the reported crimes, more than half related to thefts. Most of the reported crimes were minor in nature.
(d) Regarding the regulation of ICSCs, the outcome of the public consultation conducted by Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) in 2002 indicated that while some form of regulation was deemed necessary, ICSCs should not be over-regulated by a full-fledged licensing system as this would hinder the development of the trade. As a result, HAB issued the "Code of Practice for Internet Computer Services Centres Operators" (the Code) in August 2003 for voluntary compliance by ICSC operators. The Code has taken into account the feedback from the public consultation and has addressed the main areas of concern of the public, the trade and relevant government departments. The Code sets out guidelines on fire and building safety, noise control, public order and crime prevention, Internet content, smoking, ventilation and hygiene. HAB had reviewed the situation in 2004 and had found the law and order situation in ICSCs to be satisfactory. We consider that we should continue to adopt the Code as an administrative measure to regulate the trade.
Ends/Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:41
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