14
Public Order
THE maintenance of law and order in the streets is primarily the duty of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force which was tested in January by the disturbances in Kowloon which broke out during a territory-wide demonstration by taxi operators. The high level of training and state of readiness of the force in its emergency role was reflected in the speed and efficiency with which an ugly incident was brought under control.
The Fire Services Department also proved its worth when tested during the year when, in September, it was called upon to deal with one of the worst ever fifth-alarm fires which broke out in a factory building in Aberdeen. The operations to contain the fire were undertaken in conditions of intense heat and toxic smoke caused by inflammable plastic materials and involved more than 1000 firemen during a period of 68 hours. Fifty-five firemen and four workers were injured during the fire.
An important law enforcement role continued to be played by the Independent Com- mission Against Corruption, by the Customs and Excise Department against smuggling, in particular in respect of drug trafficking, and by the Immigration Department. The Correctional Services Department administers the penal system and is actively expanding and improving its wide-ranging rehabilitation and correctional programmes.
Fight Crime Committee
The Fight Crime Committee (FCC) continued to monitor the crime situation closely and to focus the government's efforts on areas of public concern. Through the work of sub- committees and working groups, the committee in 1984 carried out detailed studies of many problems including those associated with the use of firearms in crime, gang and triad activities, goldsmith and bank robberies, robberies in high-rise residential buildings, young offenders and nuisances caused by vice establishments.
The committee responded to the results of these studies by recommending changes in the law, the introduction of new or amended administrative measures, and publicity to resolve the problems identified. A legislative change initiated by the committee concerned increased penalties for the possession and use of firearms. This was enacted on July 25. Other changes proposed included the banning of high-quality imitation firearms, improvements to legislation controlling watchmen, and legislation to make it easier for those who suffer from nuisances caused by vice establishments to gain redress through the courts. These were likely to be submitted to the Legislative Council during its 1984–5 session. Administrative measures included the issue of guidelines to developers to improve the design of security features in multi-storey buildings and obtaining the co-operation of goldsmiths and jewellery trade associations in improving the level of their security measures and studying with them possible registration procedures for recording the purchases and sales of high-value items. Publicity was targetted on crime prevention for the year's major fight