NTS promotes network on crime prevention
The New Territories South (NTS) Regional Crime Prevention Office (RCPO) is actively encouraging the retail business to establish an interactive information network to prevent crimes.
The RCPO's Chief Inspector, Ms Chau Sinping, and her staff are working hard to impress the parties concerned on the significance of the information network as another effective measure to prevent theft, fraud, and counterfeit visa cards and banknotes, as well as "quick cash" crimes. While her officers are "selling" the concept of information sharing to retailers, Ms Chau is pleased with the initial response to the information network.
"I'm very glad that feedback indicates that many retailers have recognised the need and importance of sharing crime information. In fact, we know a couple of goldsmith's and jewellery shops have passed information on theft to each other. This is a good beginning; and I hope that more people in the retail business, both frontline sales staff and the management staff, will follow suit," Ms Chau said.
Ms Chau hopes that both frontline and management staff would recognise that information sharing can prevent crimes. She explained: "If you've outwitted a crook or foiled a trick, why not pass what you know to other people so that they would stay alert. Then the crook would have little chance of preying on other victims!"
She also hopes that even business rivals would share crime information among themselves. "There is no conflict of interest but the common objective of preventing crimes!" she noted.
Ms Chau's ultimate objective is to have the interactive information network properly put in place by the retail business. "It is not difficult to do. What is required is to have someone to motivate them and to do some co-ordination work for them. I'm happy to play these roles," said Ms Chau.
In fact, NTS RCPO has been playing those roles for some time by organising a series of seminars for the management staff of major local groups, major chain stores and credit card companies. At the latest seminar, the participants were briefed by RCPO staff and guest speakers on the benefits of information sharing, the latest crime trends, new modus operandi, counterfeit credit cards and banknotes, and preventive measures. The important message to the participants was "to protect the property of your company and staff, as well as those of customers".
The seminar has been well received by the participants. Among them, Mr Lai Lee-keung, a department store manager, and Ms Shirley Louie, a major group senior operations manager, both agreed that the seminar had served a "very useful" purpose by providing a better picture of new crime trends and tricks, and by providing a chance to exchange ideas and information. They also hoped that more seminars could be held on a regular basis.
"I hope that more seminars could be held for frontline staff on a regular basis.
"I must compliment the RCPO's initiative!" said Ms Louie.
With the approach of Christmas and New Year, the NTS RCPO will certainly heed the participants' suggestion.
"We'll definitely do more before the festive seasons so that everybody will have a nice holiday. In fact, we're planning to hold another seminar on November 21. This time, we'll invite the frontline staff to attend," Ms Chau concluded.
Crime prevention seminars organised by NTS RCPO are well received