and juveniles. Not only have many vice establishments been closed, but the tight grip previously held by criminal syndicates on this profitable trade has been loosened.
Narcotics offences remain a problem, but two major retail syndicates involved in the distribution of heroin in the division were neutralised, while pressure was main- tained against individual itinerant sellers.
Mong Kok Division
Mong Kok is a commercial and entertainment centre and, apart from a resident population of some 232,242, also experiences a daily influx of rather more than 14 per cent. The incidence of crime was 5,233 or 2,253.3 per 100,000 population, compared to 5,090 or 2,262.2 per 100,000 in 1975. The detection rate rose from 50.7 per cent to 57.7 per cent.
Early in the year, large-scale operations were mounted to reassert Police presence in certain areas frequented by triads. These operations proved successful and were a prelude to an on-going assault on vice establishments, particularly those operating under the thin disguise of 'beauty parlours,' 'entertainment parlours,' 'barbers shops,' 'music parlours' and the like. Concerted action against such establishments resulted in the elimination of an estimated 60 per cent.
In February a fire occurred at the King Lam Ballroom and the Lo Ye Tse Music Parlour at Cheung Hing House, Cheung Sha Street. This was the first of a series of music parlour fires which occurred throughout Hong Kong, although subsequent investigations revealed they were not connected. In this case five people were killed and another 28 people injured. Investigations revealed premeditation and the case was classified as murder and arson. Sub- sequent investigations by the Homicide Squad of Police Headquarters resulted in the arrest of three men who were charged with various counts of murder and arson. One man was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment and the other two to 12 years each.
Sham Shui Po Division
Sham Shui Po is densely populated and comprises mainly residential areas, including public housing, and extensive factory complexes. A total of 7,413 crimes were reported in Sham Shui Po during the year, representing 1,641.9 per 100,000 population as against 6,455 or 1,467.0 per 100,000 in 1975. The detection rate was 64.5 per cent compared to 49.6 per cent in 1975.
One of the most serious cases occurred in October when two men, one armed with a pistol and the other with a knife, attempted to rob the Tai Sam Yuen Mahjong School in Castle Peak Road. An off-duty detective constable who was at the scene intercepted the robbery and was killed in an ensuing gun battle. The robbers escaped but were sub- sequently arrested and are awaiting trial for murder and robbery.
Kowloon City Division
Kowloon City is an area of widely varying characteristics. Almost alongside high-rise public housing are situated low- rise areas occupied by higher income segments of the com- munity. There is an industrial area and the Kowloon walled city continues to pose its problems. The airport is still a
part of the division but, pending organisational changes outlined earlier, the sub-division in practice operates in- dependently.
The incidence of crime dropped from 6,727 or 1,542.9 per 100,000 population in 1975 to 5,796 or 1,335.5 per 100,000 in 1976, while the detection rate rose to 51.2 per cent as against 49.5 per cent in 1975.
He's young and small, but there is no doubt as to his deter- mination to fight crime. This young man was one of the thousands who received Good Citizen Awards during the year.
The division has for many years suffered from a narcotics problem, but from February onwards there were indica- tions of a marked deline, particularly in the operations of syndicates in the walled city. Divans and 'heroin stalls' tend to operate on more individual and smaller scales for selected patrons.
The International Airport deserves a special mention in view of the notable developments during 1976. The cargo complex was officially opened in May and is policed by a private security company. Work on new premises to enlarge the present terminal building continues to progress and, when completed, will facilitate the anticipated increase in air traffic. To cope with these developments police man- power was substantially increased.
In spite of this considerable development, there was only a slight increase in crime. This was mainly in the form of
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