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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the remarks made to the media by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, after the Fight Crime Committee meeting this (June 24) morning:
Secretary for Security: The Fight Crime Committee has reviewed the crime statistics for the first five months of this year. Overall, there has been a small increase in the crime figures. The general crime figures increased by as much as 3.3 per cent. Violent crime has also recorded an increase of 8.2 per cent, mainly because there has been an increase in certain types of crimes like theft, theft from vehicles, criminal intimidation and assault. But by and large, the law and order situation in Hong Kong is rather stable and Hong Kong remains one of the safest cities in the world.
Reporter: Can you explain why there is a surge in bank robbery?
Secretary for Security : It's true that for the first five months of this year, we have recorded 19 cases of bank robbery. The majority of these cases involved only one robber. The robber went to a bank and asked the teller for money. And, in majority of the cases, the teller refused to give him anything and pressed the alarm button. I think, out of 19 cases, in 14 cases the robber just went away. I think, in only five cases he did run away with some money. Now the Police have arrested four persons in connection with at least 10 cases. And, to deal with the problem, the Police have liaised with the banks on how to enhance their security and we have also stepped up publicity. Through all these efforts - publicity and enforcement - I think we have successfully stopped the tide. Now, of the 19 cases, 17 occurred in the first three months of this year (January to March). In April, there were two cases and in May, there was none. These figures indicated that the measures taken by our Police were effective.
Reporter: Is there any connection ...?
Secretary for Security: We believe that of the arrested persons, maybe they were not responsible for only one robbery, maybe for a number of robberies.
Reporter: Are you concerned that the proposed legislation may intrude on civil liberties?
Secretary for Security: Our proposed (Interception of Communications and Surveillance) Bill, I think, has struck a fine balance between effective law enforcement and protection of human rights. As a matter of fact, we have drawn on the experience of other common law jurisdictions in this respect. That is why the proposed Bill, I think, is the best legislation in comparison with the existing law or other laws passed in Hong Kong in respect of covert surveillance and interception of communications.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Saturday, June 24, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:39
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