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attracted the attention of more than 100,000 schoolchildren and the four winners went on a fortnight's visit to Britain.
Crime
During 1975 a total of 56,520 crimes were reported to the police-609 more than the previous year. Largely contributing to the overall increase were: serious assaults, 4,676 (3,738 in 1974); blackmail and extortion, 2,489 (1,612); criminal intimidation, 545 (239); frauds, 2,098 (1,885); criminal damage to property, 1,116 (850); pickpockets, 1,082 (833); and burglaries, 6,368 (6,328).
Crimes which decreased were: theft from vehicles, 1,812 (2,478 in 1974); taking a conveyance without authority, 2,001 (2,861); robberies, 11,120 (12,787); and miscel- laneous theft, 9,653 (10,308).
Of the 56,520 cases reported, 27,921 were detected-giving an overall detection rate of 49.4 per cent as compared with 46 per cent the previous year.
A total of 21,258 people were arrested in 1975 compared with 20,572 in 1974. There were 19,825 adults prosecuted and 1,433 juveniles (under 16 years old). Com- pared with 1974 these figures show a 5.3 per cent increase in adult prosecutions and a 17.9 per cent decrease in juvenile prosecutions.
During the year the General Investigation Office was incorporated into the Triad Society Bureau to form one unit in CID Headquarters. The strength of the combined unit was increased and the unit reorganised to place greater emphasis on the intelligence aspects of triad and organised crime activities. The bureau now consists of two divisions-the intelligence division and the operations division.
The first part of a survey into the present scope and scale of triad society activities was issued to every police officer of or above the rank of inspector. It was also made available to senior staff of other government departments who are affected by the triad problem. Work on the second part of the survey is now under way.
During the year 3,220 people were arrested for offences connected with triad activities. In addition, 43,626 people were arrested for illegal gambling and $1.5 million in cash was seized. There were 2,345 people charged in connection with prostitution and allied offences.
In January 1975, the trial began at Victoria District Court of 43 people charged with conspiracy to traffic in narcotics into and within the maximum security prison at Stanley. The trial finished in September, making it the longest criminal trial in the history of Hong Kong.
More than 486 reports requiring investigation were received from other govern- ment departments. The majority concerned complaints in respect of unregistered doctors, dentists and clinics, and breaches of the Registration of Persons Ordinance. The complaints resulted in 91 premises being entered under warrant and the arrest of 114 people for offences ranging from operating unlicensed clinics to contravention of the Antibiotics Ordinance and the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. There were 399 people prosecuted for offences under the Registration of Persons Ordinance.