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Public Order
Police
THE Royal Hong Kong Police Force was not called upon to deal with any serious threat to peace and stability in 1972, although the performance of normal con- stabulary duties kept it busier than usual.____
Crime increased, as it has done in previous years, and much of the additional work undertaken by the force was due to the greater number of cases. The public was vociferous in condemning the rising crime rate and suggesting ways in which it might be tackled; the police continued to urge the community to play their part by reporting all cases in which they were involved or which they witnessed.
Vehicle density rose from 267 per mile of road in 1971 to 297 in 1972. Several important projects were completed, among them the cross-harbour tunnel, but police problems in keeping traffic flowing were complicated by the ever-rising num- ber of vehicles. The ease of crossing the harbour by the tunnel has undoubtedly heightened social contact between the twin cities of Victoria and Kowloon; it now remains to be seen whether increased mobility between the two has any effect on the pattern of crime.
Internally, the police force continued to have serious manpower problems. The deficiency for most of the year was between 1,500 and 2,000 all ranks-about one seventh of force establishment and, consequently, many beats were undermanned. Because of better pay and conditions brought about by the previous year's Salaries Commission, there was some improvement in recruiting. It was still well below target, however, and this continuing failure to attract sufficient men of the high calibre needed for police work is one of the difficulties facing the force.
There were several bomb threats to aircraft during the year, all of which turned out to be hoaxes. A number of fake bombs were also placed in buildings. Each of these 'bomb' incidents caused a regrettable waste of police time.
Demonstrations connected with the Tiao Yu Tai (Senkaku) Islands issue were held in Victoria Park and at Edinburgh Place on the same day. Both demonstrations eventually joined up to march through Central District, but there was no disorder.
In June, when landslides occurred in Mid-levels and at Sau Mau Ping, the force became immediately involved in rescue work and later provided security for several residential buildings which had been hurriedly evacuated.