Well-read: Handing out crime-prevention leaflets in Marine Port District

The campaigns included distribution of pamphlets to shop owners, watchmen and housing block residents, along with pedestrians in business and shopping districts. More than 200,000 posters featuring crime-prevention tips were also distributed.

The notices were to remind people to take extra precautions during the Lunar New Year period and urge them to report any unscrupulous behaviour. Crime Prevention Bureau Superintendent Simon Roberts said more officers were being deployed in housing and commercial areas which were especially liable to extortion threats and burglaries at this time.

He said the economic climate saw criminal intimidation cases rise 35 per cent last year over 1998, to 1,320. Blackmail cases also rose 27 per cent to 576.

"Given there has been an increase in these cases in 1999, and Chinese new year being traditionally a bad time for these offences, we are warning the public to avoid being a victim," Mr Roberts said.

"Many of the intimidation cases are just youths trying to make extra cash by bullying people into buying tangerine trees for extortionate prices, or demanding lai see. That's why we need the public to report cases to Police as soon as possible so we can deal with these characters. Increased Police enforcement coupled with public vigilance and assistance certainly helps prevent and detect these crimes."