PUBLIC ORDER
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A sub-committee of the Fight Crime Committee commissioned, in September 1992, the research team of the Social Science Research Centre of the University of Hong Kong to conduct a study on the social causes of juvenile crime. The research team completed all major field work during the year and it is expected that the research study will be completed in early 1994.
The Young Offenders Assessment Panel continued to provide advice to the courts on the rehabilitation programmes most likely to reform juveniles and young people. A special Outward Bound Course has also been arranged for inmates of Correctional Services Department facilities.
District Fight Crime Committees continued to play an important role. They monitored the crime situation in their districts, and helped foster both community awareness of the need to prevent crime and community participation in combating crime.
Police Force
The overall crime rate remained steady in 1993, with a slight reduction in violent cases. While armed gangs continued to be a cause for concern, better intelligence and improved co-operation with China led to the arrest of several ringleaders and the break-up of gangs responsible for some of the most violent crimes over the past two years.
In addition to the return of criminals from China, cross-border liaison helped to eliminate a number of syndicates involved in the theft and smuggling of luxury cars to China. The anti-smuggling task force set up in 1991 successfully curtailed the activities of speedboats, while intelligence passed to Chinese security forces enabled them to capture smugglers at their home bases. Several batches of stolen luxury cars recovered in China were returned to Hong Kong during the year.
Further afield, Hong Kong police collaborated in the detection of a major credit card forgery syndicate and played a major role in the worldwide crackdown on drug trafficking.
To maintain Hong Kong's record of being one of the safest cities in the world, the Police Force places high priority on deploying sufficient manpower to counter, prevent and reduce crime. Recent recruitment has brought the Force up to its full establishment of 27 263 disciplined officers. The year under review saw the former New Territories Region split into two and the opening of several new police stations.
Equipment and support services are also keeping pace with the latest technology. New revolvers, with more effective ammunition, were issued to officers for better protection against criminals who carry powerful weapons. The officers can now practise their marksmanship at a state-of-the-art firing range, at the Police Tactical Unit base at Fanling, which is believed to be unrivalled in the world. The marine police also completed a major reprovisioning exercise during the year when it commissioned five new command launches and six inshore patrol boats, bringing its fleet up to 166 boats the biggest fleet of its kind. In the air, the Force gained the use of two Black Hawk helicopters operated by the newly-formed Government Flying Service. They will enable rapid deployment of personnel, as well as support, for other operations.
The Force has also promulgated performance pledges to improve its service to the public. In addition, a public opinion survey, on views and perceptions of the police by the public, was being conducted. The results will provide valuable input for projecting a positive image of the Force to the public. Also under study was a consultant report on possible ways to improve the senior command structure of the Force.