LCSD urges public to keep venues clean and tidy during Christmas
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     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (December 22) appealed to people to keep venues clean and mind their own safety while celebrating Christmas.

     Several government departments will implement a series of measures over Christmas to maintain the cleanliness and safety in LCSD venues, especially in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC), Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Avenue of Stars (AOS), Middle Road Children's Playground, Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden and UC Centenary Garden where large crowds are expected.

     "Together with law enforcement teams of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Police, we will step up patrols at our venues in the Tsim Sha Tsui area and take action against littering, illegal hawking and vandalism of public property," an LCSD spokesman said.

     "To protect the public, safety barriers will be placed to create one-metre-wide buffer zones along the seafront sides at the AOS and Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade to prevent anyone from accidentally falling into the harbour," the spokesman said.

     "People staying in crowded areas should remain calm and mind their safety. To help pedestrian flow, all removable items in the areas will be taken away," he said.

     Anti-littering and crowd management messages in Cantonese, Putonghua and English will be broadcast regularly through public announcement systems at the HKCC and AOS.

Ends/Monday, December 22, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:31

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