Reviewing the general crime situation in 2004, Mr Kerrigan informed chairmen and members of the two councils that overall crime in Hong Kong and New Territories South decreased by eight per cent and 11.9 per cent respectively in 2004. Reported cases in Tsuen Wan dropped to 3,276 in the same year - 847 (20.5 per cent) less, compared with 2003.

Except criminal intimidation, there was an across-the-board drop in crime - violent crime by 7.8 per cent, robbery 8.3 per cent, burglary 17.6 per cent, pickpocket 34.8 per cent, snatching 50 per cent, and theft from vehicle 59.2 per cent.

Looking forward to 2005, Mr Kerrigan informed the meeting that his District Policing Plan was a framework that provided focus and would be supported by action plans, specific tasking sheets, operational orders, intelligence-based operations and other operations.

He stressed that, given the success of last year's policing plan, the District's priorities in 2005 largely remained unchanged, except an addition of "providing an impartial, professional and compassionate response to all reports of abuse, including domestic, elderly, ethnic and child abuse".

Mr Kerrigan noted that implementation of his policing plan hinged on two factors - first identifying problems and according priority and second, the initiative and hard work of his staff, particularly those delivering policing services.

Members of the two councils took a great interest in the 2005 District Policing Plan and thanked Mr Kerrigan and his staff for another year of hard work in 2004.

The District Council and District Fight Crime Committee support TW DIST's Policing Plan for 2005

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