THE first outreach social work team in Sai Kung will step up liaison with residents, teachers and teenagers in the district in its fight against triad influence.
Visits and contacts with teenagers on-the-spot and the organisation of healthy programmes for residents will be carried out, particularly in Junk Bay (Tseung Kwan O) New Town.
Mr Lam Cheung-chi, leader of the two-month-old Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Sai Kung Outreaching Social Work Team, said the team would pay more attention to the new town to prevent it turning into another Tuen Mun.
''New towns, such as Tuen Mun, some years ago had lots of potential problems. The children, left unattended at home by young working parents, became prey to triad gangs.
''Something must be done, and carefully, before a crisis breaks out,'' said Mr Lam.
According to 1991 figures of the Census and Statistics Department, Junk Bay had nearly 100,000 people in two main public housing estates - Tsui Lam and Po Lam - and two other old towns in Yau Yue Wan and Hang Hau.
The youth population, those aged 24 or below, comprised 40 per cent of the total population.
