Hong Kong Police have set up dedicated teams to tackle the rising number of family violence cases, Commissioner of Police Tang King-shing said Saturday.

Speaking on a local radio show, Tang said each district has one or two dedicated teams, and front-line Police officers also have an action checklist and a referral-assessment form to tackle family violence cases.

According to latest statistics released by the police, there were 4,704 family violence cases reported last year, up 79 percent from 2005. In 70 percent of the 1,811 cases deemed to be criminal cases, Police charged offenders and sent them to court.

Tang attributed the rising rate of such reports to victims' ever-increasing awareness of and confidence in the ability of social workers and the government to help resolve the problems. As such, he expected the rate to stay at a high level in the next one or two years.

Last year Police referred about 4,500 cases to the Social Welfare Department for follow up - a 50 percent increase compared with 2005.

On the force's manpower situation, Tang said they planned to recruit as many as 1,305 staff in 2007-08. Most of them will replace those planning to retire or leave prematurely.

Source: Xinhua