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everyday policing. Fiscal restraints to curb the rising number of private cars introduced by the government in May succeeded in reducing the rate of increase of registered vehicles, but the police continued to be fully committed in dealing with traffic congestion, diversions, enforcement, and investigating traffic accidents. At the end of the year, there were 339 551 registered vehicles, of which 214 849 were private cars.
On the anti-crime front, the year's Fight Crime campaign continued to aim at lowering the incidence of juvenile crime, which had shown a marked rise in 1979 and 1980. With the launching of the Fight Youth Crime campaign in early 1981, spearheaded by the Junior Police Call and supported by all youth clubs and agencies, crimes committed by juveniles took a downward turn and the trend continued throughout 1982. Every effort will be made to sustain this very welcome trend.
Force commitment in stemming the flow of illegal immigrants from China continued at a high level throughout 1982, although the dramatic fall which followed the abolition of the 'reached-base' immigration policy in 1980 was maintained. The number of Vietnamese refugees arriving in Hong Kong remained high despite the implementation of the closed camp policy for all new arrivals in the middle of the year.
In the course of the year, one police officer gave his life while in the course of duty and a further 191 were injured.
Crime
During 1982, 85 641 crimes were reported to the police, compared with 77 953 in 1981. There were 8 548 robberies, showing a 3.4 per cent rise when compared with 8 263 the previous year. Burglaries, on the other hand, continued to increase from 10 583 in 1981 to 11 526 in 1982. The overall detection rate was 45.6 per cent compared with 50.5 per cent the previous year.
A total of 32 015 people was arrested and prosecuted compared with 29 738 in 1981. Adults prosecuted totalled 29 169 and juveniles (under 16 years) numbered 2 846, giving an increase of 12 per cent and a decrease of 22.8 per cent respectively over the previous year.
Triads and Serious Crime
Triad groups, in the form of loosely organised gangs, continued to exert their influence mainly on street-level crimes and vice. During the year, the Triad Society Division conducted a number of disruptive operations against specific triad groups. Long term operations against public light bus extortion rackets and the exploitation of residents in Temporary Housing Areas continued and resulted in the arrest of 280 persons. The amendment of the Societies Ordinance in 1982 enabled the police to combat triad infiltration and misuse of societies, especially martial arts associations, more effectively. By the end of the year, 924 persons had been arrested and 4 062 triad-related offences preferred against them.
The Special Crimes Division, which concentrates on goldsmith and jewellery shop robberies and crimes involving the use of firearms, had a successful year. During 1982, officers of the division recovered stolen property amounting to $1.2 million and seized 28 firearms and imitation firearms. A total of 22 persons were prosecuted for robberies in cases where firearms were used.
Commercial Crime
Reports of commercial crime continued to increase with many involving large scale frauds which affected not only individuals but also the reputation of Hong Kong as a major business and financial centre.