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Village watch scheme expands
Rural areas are becoming safer as more settlements join the Force's crime-prevention scheme for villages.
Since its launch in 1997, the popularity of the Village Watch Scheme has continued to expand seeing the recent joining of its eleventh township.
Ping Che Village in Ta Kwu Ling held a ceremony on October 9, unveiling a town plaque recording its involvement in the scheme.
Acting Border District Commander Tsang Choi-on and Ta Kwu Ling Divisional Commander Cheung Kam-chuen officiated at the event, along with village representatives and other community leaders.
The Northern District and Yuen Long Fight Crime Committees teamed with Border and Tai Po Districts to implement the scheme as burglary cases in villages were rising.
The scheme promotes awareness among villagers on crime prevention, as well as encourages the set up of a close-watch neighbourhood unit.
Scheme members not only take their own effective anti-burglary measures, but mutually help each other by watching over the neighbourhood.
So far, 11 villages have joined the scheme in Border District, namely Ho Sheung Heung, Mai Po Village, Yau Tam Mei Village, Wai Chai Village and Kwu Tung Village in Lok Ma Chau Division; Lee Uk Village, Ping Yeung Village and Ping Che Village in Ta Kwu Ling Division; and Luk Keng Village, Kai Kuk Shu Ha and Loi Tung Tung Village in Sha Tau Kok Division.
Police Community Relations Officer of Border District, Chief Inspector Wan Kam-choy, who helped co-ordinate the scheme, said since its inception, the number of burglary cases in the villages have fallen comparatively lower. He said the fall reflected the scheme's effectiveness.