10
02
Public Order
ALTHOUGH illegal immigration from China was still of major concern to the security forces during 1981, the flow of these immigrants had been greatly reduced as a result of the abolition of the ‘reached-base' policy in October 1980. The implementation of this policy included the compulsory carriage of proof of identity at all times and its production before the holder can be legally employed.
Vietnamese refugees continued to arrive in small boats at a higher rate than in 1980, both directly from Vietnam and via Macau and China. Except those who arrived after settling down in China, all Vietnamese refugees were given temporary asylum pending resettlement overseas. At the end of the year, there were 16 207 Vietnamese refugees still in Hong Kong. The breathing space gave the law enforcement agencies time for consolidation and an opportunity to refine various pieces of legislation. In May, 1981, amending legislation governing public meetings and processions came into effect. The revised law represents a relaxation of controls on the holding of public meetings by introducing a simpler system of prior notification and by providing that smaller meetings in private premises require no prior authorisation. The new legislation also designated a number of public areas where meetings of a larger nature could be routinely held.
Legislation relating to the possession of arms and ammunition - enacted in September - separated measures to control the possession of firearms and of bladed weapons. Require- ments for licensed possession of firearms and ammunition were tightened; penalties for unlicensed possession and other offences committed with real or imitation firearms were increased; and there was the total prohibition of dangerous weapons such as flick-knives. The new law, however, provides a simpler notification system for those who wish to own traditional Chinese martial arts-type weapons.
Major contributions to the safety and welfare of the community were made by the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the Customs and Excise Department and the Prisons. Department.
Police Force
During its consolidation period, foundations were laid during the year for major restructur- ing and re-organisation of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force. These measures have been designed to have far reaching effects on its operational and managerial efficiency.
The long term planning for various expansion programmes were particularily aimed at the Marine Police and the Traffic Branch. For marine, a 10-year development programme involves commissioning 24 additional launches and 34 replacement launches and an increase of more than 1 250 posts. And for the traffic branch, an indepth review of its establishment has identified the need for more than 400 additional posts.