YOUTH CRIMES

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he can give an update on (i) the statistical trend of youth crimes from 1994-1998; (ii) the educational and family characteristics of arrested youth gang members; (iii) the kinds of crimes committed; and (iv) what measures are in place to tackle youth crimes.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: (I) Statistical Trend of Youth Crimes

Juveniles1 arrested for seizable offences from 1994-1998 are as follows: Year 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 No. of JD 2,102 2,574 2,110 2,147 2,408 Arrested

Comparative statistics on youths2 are available only for the period 1997-1998: Year 1997 1998 No. of Youths 4,412 4,396 Arrested

1 Juveniles are persons aged 7 to 15 years old.

2 Persons aged 7 to 19 years old.

(II) Education & Family characteristics of Youth Gang Members

The education characteristics of youth gang members dealt with by Police in 1997 and 1998 are as follows: Education Youth Gang Youth Gang Members Level Members Arrested in 1998 Arrested in 1997 (%) (%) Primary 103 (13.7) 64 (10.6) Secondary 589 (78.3) 488 (81.0) Vocational 41 (5.5) 46 (7.7) Institution Polytechnic 12 (1.6) 4 (0.7) Unknown 7 (0.9) 0 (0) Total 752 (100) 602 (100)

Police does not keep records of the family characteristics of youth gang members.

(III) Kinds of Crimes Committed

For the period 1st January 1999 to 31st May 1999, 1,366 youths were arrested for seizable offences. This is 37% lower when compared to the 2,159 youths arrested for the same period last year.

Theft and its related offences form the bulk of seizable offences committed by youths. About 66% of those arrested for seizable offences in the first five months of 1999 (or 900 youths) committed such offences. For the same period last year, such offences were committed by about 72% of those arrested for seizable offences (or 1,522 youths). Shoplifting is the most common theft related offence among youths. 522 youths were arrested for shoplifting in the first five months of 1999 while 978 were arrested for the same period last year. The number of youths arrested for offences relating to unlawful assembly, rioting and serious hurt from 1st January to 31st May 1999 is 189, a 10% decrease from 209 for the same period last year.

(IV) Measures in Place to Tackle Youth Crimes

The Inter-Ministry on Youth (IMYC) cordinates a range of measure on prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation. Measures to tackle youth crimes involving MHA include:

School Talks

Police and CNB jointly conduct school talks to educate high-risk students about the dangers of secret societies and drug abuse, and to advise these students to lead drug-free and crime-free lives.

Caution And Prison Visit Programme

This programme is part of the rehabilitative programme for high-risk youths, such as gang members or those who are associated with gangs. Students who are involved in gangs will be cautioned by officers from Secret Societies Branch (SSB) of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against future gang involvement. They will also be counselled by CID and invited to participate in the Prison Visit Programme. Under this programme, they will see for themselves the harsh realities of prison life. The students will be recalled during the school holidays after the visit for a review.

Honorary Volunteer Special Constabulary (VSC) Scheme

The honorary VSC scheme aims to strengthen links between schools and the Police so as to keep juvenile delinquency problems and youth-gang influence away from the schools. School discipline masters/mistresses and disciplinary teachers from secondary schools are appointed as honorary VSC senior officers. These honorary VSC officers serve as school liaison officers in networking with the Police. They also help to project a symbol of police presence and authority in the schools.

Guidance Programme

The Guidance Programme, administered by Police and MCD, targets juvenile offenders who have committed petty crimes, but where there are mitigating factors. It is a 6-month supervision and counselling programme which involves the parents of the offenders. The programme aims to help the juvenile offenders recognise the seriousness and consequences of their act and to acquire life-skills and self-control. It also aims to equip parents with the necessary skills and knowledge for effective parenting. Upon successful completion of the programme, these juvenile offenders may be cautioned by Police in lieu of Court prosecution.

StreetWise Programme

The StreetWise Programme, initiated by the National Youth Council and Police, is a 6-month programme designed to change the behaviour of youths who have unwittingly drifted into gang activities. Youths who are identified as gang members or associating with gang activities, but where there are mitigating factors, may be placed under this programme. The programme aims to inculcate life skills and discipline through counselling and developmental training sessions, as well as voluntary curfew. Juveniles involved in serious offences with mitigating factors may also be placed under this programme.

Restriction on Participation in Tea Dances

Juveniles have been restricted from patronising entertainment outlets that serve alcohol with dancing facilities or tea dances. This is to protect them from undesirable influences at such entertainment outlets as well as to prevent the gangs from using these entertainment outlets as grounds for youth gang recruitment and congregation.