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PUBLIC ORDER
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objectionable and continue to pose a disturbing threat to law and order. The year saw a marked increase in the number of gang fights which frequently resulted in serious injuries. In many cases the fights were caused by triad factions attempting to expand their areas of criminal influence.
During 1973, 1,146 persons, involving 1,319 triad offences were brought before the courts, compared with 836 persons and 1,014 offences in the preceding year. Many active triad gangsters were convicted for crimes ranging from homicide to blackmail. The Triad Society Bureau, in conjunction with other units of the force, endeavoured to combat the spread of triad influence by concentrating on organised extortion and protection rackets. During the year 77 syndicates were smashed and their control over specific areas and activities neutralised.
During 1973 a total of 1,526 juveniles (under 16 years) were arrested for various offences, representing 10.5 per cent of the total number-arrested. This compares with 10.1 per cent in the previous year. Of the total number of juveniles arrested, 250 first offenders were referred to the Juvenile Protection Section for follow-up action under the juvenile liaison scheme. Only 12 were subsequently arrested for further offences, indicative of the continuing success of the system designed to rehabilitate juvenile first offenders.
Although more young people are becoming involved with triad groups there was no evidence during the year of any dramatic change in the pattern of juvenile crimes. Offences against property continued to form the bulk of offences-82 per cent-committed by juveniles. At present the main crime problem concerning young people continues to be within the 16 to 21 years age group.
The General Investigation Office deals with infringements of ordinances administered by other government departments. Investigations are also conducted into organised gambling, prostitution and pornography.
During the year emphasis was placed on action against organised gambling and offences connected with prostitution. A total of 101 raids were conducted against gambling establishments resulting in the arrest of 2,000 persons and the seizure of $142,270.85. In connection with prostitution 72 raids were carried out, resulting in 106 arrests. A large quantity of indecent books, photographs and films was seized, in 46 raids made under the Indecent Exhibitions Ordinance.
The office also took action against unregistered doctors, dentists and clinics, resulting in 106 arrests for offences ranging from operating unlicensed clinics to offences under the Antibiotics and the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinances.
More than 190 reports requiring investigation were received from other government departments. The majority of these reports came from the Immigration Department, Registration of Persons Office and Registrar General's Department.
The Commercial Crime Office has, in addition to investigating a number of complex frauds, investigated for the first time, cases involving forged share certifi- cates. Certificates pertaining to be those of Hopewell Holdings, Hutchison Interna- tional, Mai Hon Enterprises, and the Orient Overseas Container Holdings were