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PUBLIC ORDER
The conventional triad movement continued to decline. However, the number of serious crimes committed by quasi-triad youth gangs continued to pose problems to law and order. During the year, 1,014 triad offences involving 836 persons were dealt with, compared with 1,034 offences involving 874 persons the preceding year. Many triad offenders were also convicted of other crimes. The Triad Society Bureau paid special attention to the activities of 16-20 year olds. Within this age group, 529 persons were prosecuted for triad and associated offences in 1972, compared with 579 persons in 1971.
During 1972, prosecutions of juvenile criminals totalled 1,151, representing 10.1 per cent of the total number of persons prosecuted, compared with 9.7 per cent in 1971.
A total of 305 juvenile first offenders were treated as 'discretion' cases under the Juvenile Liaison Scheme; they were referred to District Juvenile Protection Sections for follow-up action. Only 11 or 3.6 per cent were subsequently found to have committed further offences, these results comparing favourably with those achieved in previous years.
The Criminal Investigation Department Training School, established in 1970, organises courses in the latest investigating techniques for inspectorate and rank and file officers. During the year, 230 members of the force attended. The training school also caters for officers from other government departments and police forces.
Throughout the year, advice on crime prevention was publicised in the press, on radio and on television. A Crime Prevention Exhibition, held at the City Hall in March, attracted more than 10,000 visitors. A variety of security equipment and services was on display.
Anti-Corruption
In 1972, the Anti-Corruption Office dealt with 1,167 allegations of corruption, of which 1,029 were tabled before the Target Committee. Of these allegations, 61 were dealt with by the courts, and 91 were the subject of disciplinary action by government departments.
A Principal Crown Counsel was appointed as Assistant to the Attorney General (Anti-Corruption) in May of last year. He is permanently attached to the Anti- Corruption Office, and has helped to improve case preparation. A publicity cam- paign in June coincided with the opening of a sub-office in Kowloon.
Traffic
The number of vehicles on Hong Kong's 626.7 miles of road rose to 186,377 in 1972, up 21,999 (or 13 per cent) over the previous year.
A number of major roadwork projects designed to ease traffic congestion were brought into use during the year, the most important being the cross-harbour tunnel. This, together with flyovers at the northern and southern portals of the tunnel, Garden Road and Waterloo Road, reduced police traffic control commitments in these areas, enabling officers to spend more time on law enforcement.