When a crime is reported, a message will be circulated to the Force Statistics Office, which serves as a central data processing unit for crime figures. Those figures are important as they reflect the overall crime situation in Hong Kong, and are essential to strategic planning and policing work.

Some officers working in crime units may come across difficulties in classifying a crime case with regard to the "Counting Rules", which are laid down to ensure uniformity and consistency in recording crimes. For example, in a wounding and serious assault case, a gang of youths attacked four men with knives and clubs. One of the victims was killed and the others were seriously injured. How many crimes should be counted for statistical purposes?

As a knowledge-sharing initiative, Kowloon West Headquarters recently held a workshop in Mong Kok Police Station to address perceived confusion in counting crimes from a statistical perspective. Statistics Officers from Crime Wing Headquarters gave an informative presentation as guest speakers to over 80 officers from crime units in Divisions, Districts and Region. The presentation was followed by group discussion on various complicated counting rules.

Kowloon West Regional Intelligence Unit Chief Inspector Glenn O'Neill Darren explained: "This is the first workshop of its kind to show crime officers how to accurately record and classify crimes. The workshop provided on-the-job training to crime officers, especially newcomers to divisional crime units. It also provided a communication platform for civilian officers from the Statistics Office and crime officers to clear up ambiguities in the counting rules."

The workshop also enabled the attendants to appreciate the core principles of the counting rules, and improve the liaison between the Statistics Office and crime officers from Kowloon West. More similar workshops are being planned.

Officers now appreciate the core principles of the counting rules