Kwai Chung Division
Kwai Chung divisional police station, opened in March 1976, was established to serve the fastest developing area in the New Territories. It is the most densely populated division with well over 500,000 residents, most of whom live in 11 housing estates.
In addition to being a major centre for public housing, Kwai Chung is a major industrial area, having in excess of 1,000 industrial concerns within its boundaries. The container terminal is now the focal point of Hong Kong's thriving import/export trade and, in terms of cargo volume handled, now ranks third in the world.
The crime pattern is as could be expected in an area with 11 housing estates. Staircase and lift robberies and bur- glaries prevail, although there has been a sharp decrease since the beginning of January. In terms of property and injuries, these crimes can be termed as minor, but nonethe- less a cause of concern to the police. Although the number of
rapes and indecent assaults are not excessive numerically, their incidence requires continual alertness.
Seven Neighbourhood Police Units and two Reporting Centres have been established, and plans are well in hand for permanent NPUs in all existing and projected public housing estates. Labour unrest is minimal at present. The beat radio scheme introduced in February has proved an asset to local law enforcement and is particularly helpful for the high-rise policing techniques employed in policing this division.
Yuen Long Division
The division covers Yuen Long, Castle Peak, Lau Fau Shan and Pat Heung rural areas. While Lau Fau Shan and Pat Heung remain very much rural areas, Yuen Long town has seen a rapid increase of high-rise domestic buildings during the past year, bringing with them problems.
Similarly Tuen Mun New Town (Castle Peak) develop- ment continues. Several new large factories have already opened and the first block of Tai Hing Estate is already occupied with transport and shopping facilities already in situ. An NPU has already been formed in this estate which is at present occuping temporary accommodation.
Clearances to make way for development have presented problems, but to date no major confrontations have oc- curred.
Piling for the Tuen Mun divisional station has been completed and the building is scheduled for occupation in April 1979.
The past year has seen a general increase in crime, particularly in Castle Peak area, taxi and street robberies and domestic premises burglaries being the main problems.
One robbery worthy of note occurred on January 9, when a group of robbers waylaid several large groups of picnickers on a remote hillside in Yuen Long. They robbed a total of 123 people over a period of three hours, stealing over $10,000. All six robbers have since been arrested and sentenced to terms of imprisonment.
Illegal immigration across the northern part of Deep Bay continues to pose a problem and a special unit has been set up, operating from Lau Fau Shan, to combat this problem.
The Castle Peak beaches and reservoir catchment areas continue to be favourite leisure areas for the population,
and special picnic and beach patrols operate during week- ends and holidays to ensure the safety of visitors.
The Village Patrol Unit beat is in sharp contrast the congested urban area and – much more pleasant.
The Police Community Relations Officer and his staff have maintained good liaison with all local organisations and rural leaders. Once again, their main efforts have been directed towards crime prevention, school and rural liaison, road safety, JPC organisation and involvement in com- munity projects.
Frontier Division
As the name implies, this division is responsible for policing the 22-mile land frontier and the adjacent areas. Official entry points from China are at Lo Wu and Man Kam To. Visitors to and from China may cross only at Lo Wu where immigration, health and customs facilities are provided. At Man Kam To livestock and vegetables are brought into a lairage area by Chinese porters for transportation by road to Kowloon. A new bridge at this location was officially opened in May.
Of Hong Kong's imports from China, some 80 per cent of pork, 50 per cent of beef, 20 per cent of poultry and 20 per cent of vegetables are brought in via Lo Wu (by rail) and Man Kam To.
Traditionally, there is local movement across the border at various locations by farmers entering to work their land. Control of entry into, and movement within, the border area is governed by a Frontier Closed Area Order and entry may only be made on permit. These restrictions are relaxed only on festival days devoted to ancestor worship when large crowds visit the cemetery at Sandy Ridge. The situation in Frontier and within the closed border area can best be described as relaxed and tranquil.
Crime in Frontier remains at a relatively low level, but illegal immigration is a main concern. Rural patrol units were established at San Tin, Ngau Tam Mei and Chuk Yuen in order to provide convenient reporting facilities to residents of these areas.
Close liaison is maintained with rural leaders and every effort is made to improve the cordial relations which exist between villagers and police. Recreational projects jointly sponsored by police and local bodies are always popular, and works of a community service nature, such as construct- ing bridges and footpaths, are undertaken by divisional personnel.
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