Crime stoppers: Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee chats with with shop proprietors at Lung Cheung Mall.

An anti-burglary project in public housing estates has proven effective in Wong Tai Sin, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

Wong Tai Sin Police have teamed with the Housing Department and property management and security companies to launch the project, due to the frequency of burglaries in estates in 2004. The project raises residents' anti-burglary awareness and fosters a closer partnership between the Police and the community through an intelligence-led strategy.

Speaking at the district's Fight Crime Committee meeting today, Mr Lee said its crime rate has remained low in recent years, with most offences minor, like shoplifting, thefts and criminal damage. He thanked the committee members for their concern about law and order in the district, and praised their efforts and co-operation.

Mr Lee said with enhanced co-operation, and vigorous Police action against crimes involving illegal immigrants and two-way permit holders, major crimes in the district, such as robbery and burglary, dropped noticeably last year.

Triad infiltration

The slight rise in overall crime figures in the past three years can be attributed to a series of strategic Police measures, including stepped-up enforcement operations, improvement in the crime reporting mechanism and heightened vigilance.

Mr Lee said triad-related crime is being combated effectively. Police in close co-operation with schools have apprehended a number of suspected triad-related students and triad members.

After the meeting, Mr Lee and other committee members visited Lung Cheung Mall and spoke with shop proprietors. The party then proceeded to Kai Sin House, Upper Wong Tai Sin Estate, to inspect anti-burglary measures there.