(6)
LAN, ORDER AND SECURITY
A
114.
115.
(a) Police and Crime
I turn now to questions of law, order and security.
The Royal Hong Kong Police Force has continued 1.ts.
programme of reorganisation and is now re-ordering its Dibtrict structure. In addition, the relative size of Police Regions and the command structures in Force and Regional Headquarters are being studied with a view to dovolving authority and decision-making to the most appropriate and economic levels.
116.
Recruitment has continued to be satisfactory: The target for recruitment of inspectors is 280. It is expected that this will be met with recruits of a high educational standard and good leadership potential. There should also be little problem of filling 2,000 Junior Police Officer posts,
many of them at form S level.
117.
Regardless of the Force's expansion and quality, the Buccess of Police efforts in combatting crime remains heavily dependent on the self-help and cooperation of members of the public. I an pleased to note the steadily-improving relationship between the Police and the public to which the District Boards are making a useful contribution,
118.
Turning to the crime situation, the incidence Of robbery, in its various forme, is a useful indication of the state of crime generally. From an average of 40 reporta 4 day in 1974, robberies fell to 20 a day in early 1979 and since then it has fluctuated at botween 20 and 30 reports a day. So far this year, the daily average has been 24.
. 119.
A disturbing feature on the crime scene, however, is the greater use of firearms.
It was, therefore, most encouraging to learn in July of the successful Police operation
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