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Of the illegal immigrants, only 0.35 per cent were found in possession of forged identity cards. This compares with 0.5 per cent in 1986.
The new-style identity card, issued in July, has proved difficult to forge, and computer- ised checking procedures make it possible to identify evaders who use lost or stolen cards belonging to bona fide Hong Kong residents.
Vietnamese Refugees and Ex-China Vietnamese Illegal Immigrants
During the year, 3 395 Vietnamese refugees arrived in Hong Kong. Most of these people left Vietnam for economic reasons with the intention of seeking settlement overseas.
A significant number of Vietnamese refugees had settled in China in the late 1970s and the early 1980s. From time to time, some of these Vietnamese would enter Hong Kong illegally, claiming to be refugees directly from Vietnam. Their identities would be checked with the Chinese authorities and all those confirmed to have come from China would be repatriated. In July, there was a sudden influx of these people, who had been prompted by false rumours circulating in Guangdong that an amnesty for Vietnamese illegal immigrants was in the offing in Hong Kong and that they would be quickly resettled in Western countries. By mid-August, the number of arrivals reached 6 500. However, following urgent talks between the Hong Kong Government and Chinese officials in Guangzhou, repatriation of these illegal entrants began on August 22 and the inflow gradually decreased.
These illegal entrants totalled 247 in December 1987, compared with 107 in Decem- ber 1986.
At the end of the year, the Vietnamese refugee population was 9 530. Of these, 6 566 were in closed camps and 2 964 in open centres. During the year, 2 212 were resettled and 319 births were registered.
Traffic
Traffic accidents causing personal injury increased by 8.7 per cent over the previous year – the first increase since 1982. While this was not unexpected at a time when both road usage and the number of vehicles were increasing, it served to highlight the need for sustained effort in the fields of road safety education and traffic control and enforcement.
Road safety campaigns were mounted throughout the year, with particular attention being paid to the elderly and to children under the age of 15. In addition, a road safety exhibition centre was opened at the Police Traffic Wing Headquarters in United Centre, Queensway, on Hong Kong Island. The improved Road Safety Town at Sau Mau Ping continued also to be visited by schools and other organisations.
On December 31, provisional figures for accidents causing personal injury showed there were: 282 fatalities and 21 198 cases of injury.
Community and Media Relations
During the year, the government launched its first anti-triad drive as the backbone of the Fight Crime Campaign. The publicity campaign was aimed at exposing the general public to the sordid activities of triads and the danger of becoming involved with them. The campaign centred on a seven-episode drama documentary TV series entitled 'Wayward Youth', which showed the harm that can result when young people become involved with triad gangs. Wide-ranging activities were also organised by the central and district fight crime committees and all publicity methods were used to drive home the anti-triad message.