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PUBLIC ORDER
HONG KONG is one of the safest cities in the world. The crime rate in 1993 was the lowest in the past 10 years.
There remain areas of concern, however, and the fight against crime continues without remission. There is an increased police presence on the streets and better cross-border co-operation against crime.
The Royal Hong Kong Police was up to its full establishment for the first time in a decade. The police recruited 1 367 junior police officers, while in the same period 1 010 left the force. The wastage rate was about two per cent lower than that of the previous year.
There was increased alarm, however, about corruption, with a 44 per cent rise in complaints recorded by the Independent Commission Against Corruption. In October, the government announced additional resources for the commission in 1994.
The Fire Services Department celebrated its 125th anniversary during the year. The department, which started out modestly as a fire brigade of 66 officers and 100 volunteers in 1868, is now completely localised with more than 8 000 staff, operating more than 90 fire stations and ambulance depots.
New Year's Day began with a tragic event. Twenty-one people were trampled to death in crowd revelry in Lan Kwai Fong, Central, where thousands gathered to welcome in 1993. The Governor ordered an immediate inquiry to look at how to prevent similar tragedies.
The Organisational Structure
The government gives high priority to the fight against crime and the maintenance of public order. The Fight Crime Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, provides valuable advice and puts forward recommendations on areas of public concern and on measures to improve the maintenance of law and order.
The Royal Hong Kong Police has operational responsibility for crime prevention and detection, the maintenance of public order and, since April 1992, has fully resumed responsibility for the detection of illegal immigrants on the border.
The Immigration Department, through its control of the entry and exit points, and activities directed at discovering illegal immigrants, contributes significantly to the main- tenance of law and order.
In anti-narcotics operations, the police maintain close liaison with the Customs and Excise Department. The latter also maintains links with overseas customs authorities and plays a major part in combating smuggling and enforcing the Copyright Ordinance.