Police have set up dedicated teams to tackle the rising numbers of family violence cases, Commissioner of Police Tang King-shing says. Team members undergo special training in crisis assessment.

There were 4,704 family violence cases reported last year, up 79% from 2005. In 70% of the 1,811 cases deemed to be criminal cases, Police charged offenders and sent them to court.

Speaking on an RTHK phone-in show today, Mr 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.

Mr 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% increase compared with 2005.

On the force's manpower situation, Mr 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.