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PART III THE DISTURBANCES
shop windows, traffic signs and the police. This is borne out by the damage to property reported to the police as listed at Appendix 8. Details of claims for awards in respect of injuries and damage arising from the disturbances are con tained in the report of the Kowloon Disturbances Claims Assessment Board.
176. The disturbances were confined to the area of Nathan Road from Tsim Sha Tsui in the south to Sham Shui Po in the north, with nearly all the incidents confined to a two mile stretch of Nathan Road and the side streets on either side up to a maximum of 500 yards on the west. There was no evidence of disturbances in Kowloon east of the railway line or in the heavily populated resettlement estates to the north. This confirms the impression of most commentators that the main aim of the rioters was to occupy Nathan Road and the main aim of the police was to prevent this. There is a population of about half a million people in this area. and its immediate vicinity and the evidence indicates that although crowds were large, they were only a small proportion of the potential in the area. No estimate of the total number of participants in the disturbances has been made but all observers agreed that the crowds were predominantly composed of youths.
177. The number of casualties suffered by police and public on this night is set out in Appendix 6, the amount of ammunition used by the police in Appendix 9 and details of persons arrested during the riots and the results of subsequent proceedings is shown in Appendix 7. During the curfew period on the night of the 6th/7th, a total of 427 persons were arrested; of these 334 were charged with breach of curfew only, 16 with breach of curfew and other offences and two with other offences: 75 were released.
CHAPTER 4.
THE EVENTS OF APRIL 7/8TH. THE SECOND NIGHT OF RIOTING
178. After the lifting of the curfew at 6 a.m. on April 7th, every effort was made to clear the streets so that the life of the city could return to normal. Police in the streets were confined to mobile and foot patrols and there was no indication of further disorders before the early evening. The morning newspapers expressed shock at the previous night's events. Appeals by the Governor and civic leaders, condemning the violence which had occurred and calling for an end to the disturbances were broadcast and published.
Police Precautions
179. Police companies in Kowloon were formed as for the previous night with the addition of the Auxiliary company but the Traffic Office company was reduced to two platoons in order to permit normal traffic duties to continue during the day, and special diversion teams to be available during the night. Companies rested during the day.
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