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detention centres. Police are still involved in either manning or guarding three centres requiring a duty deployment of about 550 officers.
Serious disturbances among VBP occurred at the Whitehead Detention Centre. In February, police had to resort to smoke shells and grenades to quell disorder, and in May six companies of police officers, together with ancillary units were deployed, culminating in the seizure of over 2 500 assorted weapons. Subsequent weekly searches have been made and appear to have had the desired effect.
The force continued to be heavily involved in the policing of public meetings, processions and demonstrations throughout the year particularly during May and June. A candlelight rally held in Victoria Park on June 4 to commemorate the events in Beijing the previous year was attended by 100 000 people. The event went off peacefully.
Recruitment and wastage continued to be major problems throughout the year at a time when the force was expanding to meet its growing responsibilities, particularly the resumption of border duties. Recruitment of junior officers improved considerably in the last quarter, apparantly due to the pay increase.
In November, the force was honoured by a visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, in her capacity as Honorary Commandant General. One of her principal engagements was officiating at the opening of Arsenal House - Phase I of the new Police Headquarters complex.
Crime
The overall crime rate increased by 7.9 per cent in 1990 with 88 300 crimes reported to the police compared with 81 808 the previous year. The total number of crimes per popula- tion of 100 000 was 1 522, a rise of 7.2 per cent over 1989. Violent crime, a category which includes murder, wounding, rape, indecent assault, kidnap, blackmail, criminal intimidation, robbery and arson also showed an increase of 8.5 per cent with 18 820 cases against 17 350 in 1989. The upsurge in violent crime was mainly attributed to a rise in the number of armed robberies (+ 1 577 cases).
The offences of burglary, theft and handling stolen goods increased by 10.2 per cent. However, the number of motor vehicles stolen showed a significant increase with 6 363 cases recorded, a rise of 44.6 per cent over 1989.
A total of 44 013 persons were arrested for crime in 1990, of whom 6 583 were juvenile offenders (aged below 16) and 8 306 were young person offenders (aged between 16 and 20). The corresponding figures in 1989 were 7 437 and 8 283, respectively.
Organised and Serious Crime
There were 78 incidents involving the use of genuine firearms in 1990, representing an increase of 38 compared to the previous year. Cases involving pistol-like objects numbered 364; well up on the previous annual total of 238.
Robberies and attempted robberies against goldsmiths, watch-shops and jewellers increased and 100 cases were recorded, accounting for a loss of property of $168 million.
Concerted action against organised and serious crime gangs continued. Police operations resulted in the arrest of 2 247 persons for robbery and the seizure of 94 firearms, along with the recovery of stolen property valued at $47 million.
Crime statistics are at Appendix 40.