CHINA: Police to escort environmental health officers after attack

Environmental hygiene officers who carry out raids on food processors may be accompanied by police escorts following a violent attack on an officer this week Chief health inspector Wong Wai-wan, who is responsible for operations against illegal meat-roasting factories, was attacked by three men on Wednesday. He is currently in the intensive-care unit of Tuen Mun Hospital.

July 20, 2001

Environmental hygiene officers who carry out raids on food processors may be accompanied by police escorts following a violent attack on an officer this week

Chief health inspector Wong Wai-wan, who is responsible for operations against illegal meat-roasting factories, was attacked by three men on Wednesday. He is currently in the intensive-care unit of Tuen Mun Hospital.

The secretary for environment and food, Lily Yam Kwan Pui-ying, was quoted in the South China Morning Star as saying: “We cannot tolerate any form of violence to our staff.” The department is considering joint action with the police to ensure the safety of officers, she added.