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Police together with relevant government departments and public bodies launched the 䩕RenoSafe Scheme蒅 today (September 4) with an aim to combating crime related to renovation of buildings by adopting an inter-departmental and multi-agency approach.
Buildings aged 30 years or above are required to undergo inspection and related repair works. Criminals may monopolise these renovation works by illegal means. Police Organised Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) have therefore formed an inter-departmental working group with some government departments and public bodies, including the Buildings Department, Home Affairs Department, Urban Renewal Authority, Hong Kong Housing Society and Independent Commission Against Corruption, early this year to formulate strategies to target crimes such as criminal damage, criminal intimidation, bribery and corruption.
RenoSafe Scheme is a crime prevention initiative which aims to prevent consultant firms, building contractors or any person from employing unlawful means to affect the tendering and the progress of works in building renovation projects and request the participating owners and other people to provide crime information to Police.
The Scheme provides one-stop service. The Urban Renewal Authority, Hong Kong Housing Society and relevant departments will give professional advice to participating buildings. Anti-triad Squads of Police Regions and Districts will offer crime prevention advice and provide an information kit containing the hotlines of the departments and the contact points of Anti-triad Squads. Direct channel for liaison with the owners can be established which facilitates communication and collection of crime information while Police can also provide timely assistance and support to them.
In addition, posters will be put up at conspicuous positions inside and outside the participating buildings and banners may be displayed on the external walls of the buildings to maximise the effect of publicity and help deter crime. OCTB has also co-ordinated the resources of all Regions for organising crime prevention publicity campaigns, such as delivering talks on crime prevention for residents, Owners' Corporations and mutual aid committees.
Police believe that the Scheme will help Police officers maintain contact with the owners, monitor closely for any crime related to renovation in participating buildings, and take appropriate enforcement action so that the renovation works could be carried out smoothly and the anti-crime objective could be achieved.
Members of the public can refer to Police Public Page (www. police.gov.hk) for more details on the 䩕RenoSafe Scheme蒅. If they wish to join the Scheme or have any information regarding a crime, please call OCTB hotline at 2527 7887.
Police Report No.323
Ends/Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:45
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