The Fight Crime Committee has been spearheading the fight against crime since 1973 under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary for Administration. Apart from providing advice and recommending measures to prevent and reduce crime, it also coordinates crime-fighting efforts and monitors their results.

In 2005, the committee deliberated on the recommendations of two international conferences hosted by the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and the Action Committee Against Narcotics, as well as the implications these suggestions and ideas had on the Government's strategies on the war against drugs and money laundering. The committee registered concern over the rising trend in the abuse of psychotropic substances, in particular among youths who have left school and who are unemployed. It pointed out that a concerted effort by all sectors of the community was necessary in the fight against the drug abuse epidemic. On the anti-money laundering front, the committee suggested that the Hong Kong financial regulators play a more active role in mutual evaluations conducted by the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering and other regional anti-money laundering bodies.

The committee also examined the measures and support services used to tackle the problem of domestic violence in response to the findings and recommendations of a household survey and a subsequent consultancy study on child abuse and spouse battering, commissioned by the Social Welfare Department. It recommended that a multi-disciplinary approach should be adopted to handle the problem, supported by education, the vigilance of frontline workers and support for families at risk.

Apart from monitoring the crime situation during the year — including commercial crime — the committee continued to check the progress of the Police Superintendents' Discretion Scheme which enables an eligible young offender under the age of 18 to be cautioned by a police officer of the rank of superintendent or above as an alternative to criminal prosecution, and to receive aftercare services where appropriate.

After hearing of the positive feedback from a survey on the effectiveness of the Correctional Services Department's publicity initiatives to enhance the community's understanding of the needs and difficulties faced by inmates and rehabilitated offenders, the committee agreed that such activities should continue to enable the smooth re-integration of rehabilitated offenders into society.

Working in partnership with the Fight Crime Committee, District Fight Crime Committees (DFCCs) continued to reflect community concerns on law-and-order issues. Through district-based fight crime publicity activities with funding support from District Councils and other sponsorship, the DFCCs helped foster community awareness regarding crime prevention and encouraged community participation in combating crime.

To reinforce their close links, the committee and the DFCCs exchanged feedback on the various issues they discussed and committee members also took turns to attend DFCC meetings and functions.