The Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, visited Yau Tsim Mong District this afternoon (October 10), where he toured a police station, a school and a Correctional Services Department (CSD) counselling centre. He also met with district personalities to better understand law and order and the livelihood of local people in the district.

     Accompanied by the Chairman of Yau Tsim Mong District Council, Mr Chris Ip; the Vice Chairman, Ms Wong Shu-ming; and the District Officer (Yau Tsim Mong), Mrs Laura Aron, Mr Lee first visited Yau Ma Tei Police Station to join an activity under Project Gemstone. Led by a non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) police constable, he joined a group of NEC primary students to tour the facilities and equipment at the police station. Mr Lee also exchanged views with some NEC police constables, who were former members of Project Gemstone, and NEC primary students.

     Rolled out by the Yau Tsim District Police to promote integration between local and NEC communities, Project Gemstone aims to enhance the Chinese language proficiency of the NEC members of Junior Police Call (JPC) in order to help them integrate into the community and to assist those who are interested in joining the force or other government departments.

     Mr Lee then visited the HK & Kowloon Chiu Chow Public Association Secondary School, where he watched demonstrations by the school's lion dance team and rope skipping team. Mr Lee also met with the school's JPC members to learn more about their activities.

     Mr Lee's next stop was the Mongkok Counselling Centre of the CSD, where he was briefed by CSD officers on the counselling services provided to persons who are serving binding-over orders and rehabilitated persons. He was also briefed on the video visit service, which is mainly arranged for the elderly or people with limited mobility in order to save them from long-distance travelling.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Lee met with members of Yau Tsim Mong District Council to listen to their views on various local issues including law and order and the livelihood of local people in the district, as well as its future development.

Ends/Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:22

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