PUBLIC ORDER
The Interpol Bureau of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force works closely with police forces overseas as well as with various government departments and with consulates and commissions in Hong Kong. The bureau acts as a co-ordination centre for criminal information and investigation between Hong Kong and the rest of the world, and with the assistance of relevant police formations deals with enquiries on behalf of other member countries. Extradition and deportation cases also come under the charter of the bureau.
Two officers from the force are seconded to the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyons, France and close contact is maintained with them.
Public Order
There were no serious outbreaks of disorder in 1990 and compared with 1989, fewer public demonstrations with smaller numbers of participants on most occasions.
Officers of the Police Tactical Unit (PTU) continued to escort and monitor Vietnamese boat people and to search their camps for offensive weapons when required.
PTU training was expanded by the addition of Field Patrol Detachment (FPD) duties, the first company taking up border duties in December. Routine internal security training produced a total of 2 210 officers trained in all aspects controlling public disorder.
A new structure for the police response to serious internal security problems was established in April 1990 with the auxiliary police taking over responsibility for some functions from the military.
Apart from the dedicated PTU and FPD companies, the police force, through training at PTU and within districts, also maintained a high level of readiness for all internal security situations.
Illegal Immigration from China
The continuing downturn in economic activity in southern China and rumours of amnesties fuelled by the unscrupulous operators of illegal immigration rackets brought about a higher level of illegal immigration in the first three quarters 1990. Consequently, arrests of illegal immigrants were much higher than in recent years, averaging 76 a day.
Police counter-measures were specifically targetted at those who offer employment to illegal immigrants and regular large-scale operations were mounted. A total of 27 826 illegal immigrants were apprehended, one of the highest in recent years. Legislative amendments introduced late in the year to deter the employment of illegal immigrants, coupled with continuing pressure through stop-and-search operations, should lead to a diminution of the problem.
Vietnamese Influx
Since June 16, 1988, all Vietnamese boat people (VBP) arriving in Hong Kong have been held in detention centres pending a screening process to determine their status in accordance with the 1951 UN Convention. When VBP reach Hong Kong territorial waters they are advised of this policy and informed that they are free to leave. However, if they elect to stay they are warned that if classified as economic migrants they will be detained pending repatriation to Vietnam.
Vietnamese boat people continued to arrive in Hong Kong throughout the year although their numbers decreased substantially to 6 599 as against 33 969 in 1989.
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