Rollout of police crime prevention booklet

Police spot a rising trend of juvenile crime this year.

In response, the law enforcers launch a new edition of a crime prevention booklet to help educators and parents identify early signs of youth crime.

Police say 1,580 youths aged 10 to 20 were arrested in the first half of this year, up about 20 percent from last year.

283 of them were involved in wounding and serious assaults, a 50 percent increase from last year. 70 percent commit the offences on impulse. 285 were involved in drug offences, with 30 percent stemming from the emerging drug, etomidate. Another 199 were involved in fraud and money laundering, while 140 participated in criminal damage cases.

Police Chief JOE CHOW: "We try to encourage teachers and parents to communicate and then to show some real examples to the kids, to the children, so that they can understand the value.We talk about try to prevent before a crime is actually committed."

To prevent youth crimes, police launches a new crime prevention booklet. 20,000 copies are distributed from today to over 1,100 schools and more than 200 youth centres across the city.

The content covers crimes like making quick money, online sexual grooming, violence and bullying, and the use of etomidate.

Based on real cases, the booklet introduces common youth crimes and tactics. The publication also includes advice from social workers to help teachers and parents identify risks at an early stage. Police hopes through a new book featuring Chinese and English content, to help youth with different ethnicity to gain positive values, and enhance their law-abiding awareness.