Yuen Long District (YLDIST), like other Districts, in conjunction with various government departments and organisations, has launched a series of effective measures to prevent and fight juvenile crimes effectively since the start of 2001/2002 school year.

The organisations include Police Community Relations Office (PCRO)YLDIST, Social Welfare Department (SWD), Yuen Long District Fight Crime Committee, Yuen Long Lions Club, Association for Tin Shui Wai School Discipline and Counselling Teachers, Evangelical Lutheran Church HK (ELCHK), and Tin Shui Wai Children and Youth Integrated Team.

A'Yuen Long District Anti-Drug Abuse Publicity Campaign' was launched by PCRO YLDIST, SWD and various youth services organisations of the district before Christmas last year with a view to advising youths of the district about the consequences of drug abuse.

In addition, a training programme for potential school dropouts, school dropouts and youths at risk has been started at the recommendation of the Association for School Discipline and Counselling Teachers. In the programme, social workers of ELCHK helped the participants reassess their personal values and way of life. It also included a talk by Secondary School Liaison Officer, Sergeant Li Wai-kim. Members of the Yuen Long Lions Club provided relevant job training to the youths.

PCRO YLDIST played its part by organising various leisure activities with Tin Shui Wai (TSW) Police Station and ELCHK to provide opportunities for the young people to put to good use their talents and abilities.

Furthermore, TSW DIV & PCRO YLDIST and ELCHK organised a 'Youth Leadership Training' camp in March this year to strengthen secondary school student's leadership ability, their sense of cooperation and enhance their school's moral education.

In the past eight months, YLDIST not only made a remarkable impact in the prevention of juvenile crimes, but also helped many high-risk young people regain their self-confidence by returning to school or taking up prevocational training.

"We are convinced of the importance of cooperation between organisations and interdepartmental efforts, and we will continue to provide more effective activities to help the youths of the district," YLDIST PCRO, Mr Brian Kwan Ping-yun,said.

Commenting on YLDIST's efforts, the Chairman of Yuen Long Fight Crime Committee, Mr Cham Ka-hung, said: "Through the active participation and support of Yuen Long Police District, the prevention of youth crime and the launching of such activities, including the'Rainbow Operation', have been a success.

"The youths taking part in the scheme have shown improvement and faced life in a positive manner. Members of the YLFCC have commended Police officers of the District, in particular the PCRO, for their enthusiasm and commitment," Mr Cham added.

The Regional Social Welfare Officer, Mrs Chau Liu Fung-yee, said: "In the past year, the YLDIST Police officers, through interdepartmental efforts with the SWD and other welfare organisations, have launched a number of remarkable schemes to assist young people. It is hoped that the cooperation will continue to benefit the community."