problems. The sub-unit has its base at a mobile reporting centre in Statue Square near the Supreme Court and it is planned to rehouse it in a prefabricated reporting centre on the same site early in 1977.
At the end of the year there were two sub-units in the Mid-Levels area and a third was planned to open in January 1977. In January 1976, the division's first Police Com- munity Relations Officer was appointed.
Western Division
Western Division has the largest geographical area in the Hong Kong Island District, comprising the mainly residential Western district and the whole of the south side of the island, including Aberdeen and Stanley.
The crime rate in Western Division rose from 2,880 or 825.2 per 100,000 in 1975 to 2,951 or 941.5 per 100,000 in 1976, while the detection rate increased from 49.5 per cent to 54.0 per cent. Nevertheless the area was comparatively free of serious crime during 1976. The significantly decreas- ing number of armed robberies in the division could well be attributed to more effective security measures adopted by factory proprietors on the advice of the police.
As a result of sustained police action, coupled with the introduction of legalised off-course betting centres, the incidence of illegal off-course betting drastically decreased and casino-type establishments are now virtually non- existent.
All public beaches on Hong Kong Island are situated in Western Division. The large number of people visiting them during the summer and the careless attitude of many in failing to take care of their valuables resulted in a number of beach thefts, despite the deployment of additional police in these areas.
Three neighbourhood policing units operate in the division, with a fourth due to open in January 1977. Additionally there are seven reporting centres. Headway continued to be made in fostering relations between the community and the police. Close liaison with various organisations such as Kaifongs, Area Committees and Mutual Aid Committees is maintained through frequent meetings and regular visits, while friendly matches in a variety of sports between police staff and residents' teams and schools further assist in this area.
Wan Chai Division
The face of Wan Chai changed drastically during 1976. For a few the change may have been regretted, but for most it was very welcome. In short, the police cleaned it up. In June a leading newspaper ran a front-page article under the heading: 'Wan Chai declares war on vice and triads.' This sums up the basis of the police effort.
A vigorous campaign was mounted to stamp out these two evils and it is clear that the police have the upper hand. The drive ranged from action against music parlours and unlicensed massage establishments to operations against triad hierarchy and the virtual eradication of call girl
centres.
Comparing 1975 with 1976 in Wan Chai, there was an increase in reported crime from 4,458 or 1,955.3 per 100,000 to 4,516 or 2,143.0 per 100,000, while the detection rate increased from 41.9 per cent to 52.7 per cent.
There were six homicides, of which five were solved.
The use of converted toy pistols was a worrying feature of many armed robberies early in the year, but a tenacious investigation resulted in the successful smashing of an 'assembly plant'.
In non-violent key crime, there were some good arrests in the burglary field, although this type of crime still remains a problem. Other successful enquiries included the uncovering of a syndicate forging identity cards and the organised thefts of money from parking meters.
Week-long torrential rain in August caused numerous landslides in Wan Chai, resulting in a general disruption of traffic and the evacuation of a whole village of squatters at Soo Kun Po.
Eastern Division
For Eastern Division - comprising North Point, Causeway Bay, Shau Kei Wan and Chai Wan sub-divisions - it was a busy but successful 12 months. The incidence of crime was, 3,711 or 969.5 per 100,000 population in 1976, com- pared with 3,442 or 1,049.4 per 100,000 the previous year. The detection rate was 60.7 per cent compared with 50.8 per cent.
Robberies reached a high of 54 in April 1976 after a low of 26 in February; the number of robberies each month for the whole year averaged about 37, but for the last few months the average was below 30.
Police find a triad altar during an anti-crime operation. "Blue Berets" (Police Tactical Unit officers on attachment) frequently support divisional officers on these preventive
operations.
The divisional criminal intelligence unit achieved a number of successes, the most notable being the identity card pawnship system, through which criminals pawning property can be identified by their identity card numbers. This system is now operating district-wide, and there are indications that it may be adopted Force-wide in due
course.
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