To promote greater awareness of Internet security among schoolchildren, teachers and social workers, the Police Force has organised a joint educational programme with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Symantec Corp, an Internet security company.

"Cyber Safe" Internet Security Awareness Programme aims to stress the importance of Internet security, while alerting young people to the dangers of hacking and cybercrime.

Speaking at a press briefing today, Commercial Crime Bureau Superintendent Patrick Lam said that 187 technology crime cases were reported between January and April. Eight of the 33 arrested were under the age of 18, and nine were students.

There has been a sharp increase in cases related to online gaming - 96 between January and April, compared to a total of 26 reported cases in the second half of 2002.

"Cyber crime, online ethical supervision and security breaches are some of the most urgent problems facing both law-enforcement and social-welfare agencies," Mr Lau said.

"It's important to bring new generations onside in understanding these issues. We applaud this initiative and are delighted to help drive it."

The campaign includes a series of public events. The first, to be held on June 28, is a seminar for frontline social workers and school teachers.

Speakers from the Police, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Symantec will discuss Internet security issues from sociological, psychological, legal and educational perspectives.