41

115. 10% of arrests were found to be recent immigrants, mostly

illegal immigrants, as were over 62% of those arrested for arme

robbery. The public should not be alarmed by these figures into

believing that all immigrants are criminals. Of course these figures

relate only to a tiny minority. Nevertheless we must face the fact

that we have now such a minority unable either to integrate in

Guangdong or assimilate in Hong Kong. I should hope that this is a

transitional phonomenon but it needs careful watching.

116.

The increase in juvenile crime which began in 1979 continues.

The figures are small by international standards but we ignore the

!

Immediate

Pu

trend at our peril. A report made under the aegis of the Fight

Violent Crime Committee stressed, amongst other things, disappointment

in school and lack of supervised recreation as factors in juvenile

crime. I have described what is being done to improve remedial

teaching, counselling, and Social Welfare services in schools, as well

as to adapt the curricula to less academically minded pupils.

steps are being taken to enable the police, through the Junior Police

Call to make as they are anxious to do, a greater direct contribution

to pointing young people in the right direction, and establishing from

the start an easy relationship with the police. Junior Police Call

already numbers 270,000 members but many are inactive. To mako much

fuller use of this potential a three-year programme has been drawn up

which includes the provision of a JPC clubhouse in each Police Division,

the setting up of 400 JPC clubs in secondary schools, and the provision

of more funds to finance JPC activities.

/117. ...

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