In Brief
1,000 call for free education to cover kindergartens
More than 1,000 pre-school teachers, parents and children marched in Central yesterday to call for the scrapping of the kindergarten voucher scheme and the extension of free education from 12 to 15 years to cover pre-school. Kindergartens have complained that the voucher scheme, which subsidises pre-school children's education, also sets a ceiling on the fees they can charge. This has affected the income of teachers, resulting in them leaving the pre-school sector in droves.
53 arrested as police smash Yuen Long triad gang
Police believe they smashed a triad gang in Yuen Long when they arrested 53 people, including key members of triad societies. The 37 men and 16 women, aged between 15 and 59, have allegedly been involved in burglary, assault, drug trafficking or illegal betting. Four carving knives, other weapons and some suspected drugs were seized. The suspects were still being detained last night.
Shoplifting trio nabbed
Three women members of a shoplifting ring were arrested in Mei Foo Sun Chuen and HK$400,000 worth of goods seized. Police believe the branded clothes and bags from several luxury chains, cigarettes and personal hygiene products were bound for Vietnam.
