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The NPO scheme works through the Police
Co-ordinators, who are normally based at Neighbourhood Police
Offices MNPO) and are available for consultation with local
residents at set times. There are 144 NPO: 57 in the New
Territories, 41 in Kowloon, 36 on Hong Kong Island and 10 in
the Outlying Islands. A further 19 are either planned or under
construction. All NPO are included in the beats of their
particular police division and are manned regularly by a
patrolling constable, usually for about 15 minutes in every
hour. The NPO will be closed when the constable is away on
patrol but most have a public telephone for 999 calls. Manning
of NPO may vary. For example, the NPO at the Star Ferry
concourse on Hong Kong Island is open as long as the Star
Ferry is operating.
There is no doubt that the old Neighbourhood Police
hits were popular with local residents and many had
misgivings when the new scheme was introduced. But there are
now more NPO than in 1984 and the Neighbourhood Police le co-ordinators have established very good relations with the
communities which they serve. The Commissioner of Police
considers that the public have accepted the changes and
appreciate that the new scheme allows police resources to be
deployed more equitably and effectively.
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