PUBLIC ORDER
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Violent Crime (Firearms Only)
The number of robberies involving genuine firearms continued to drop. The reasons for this included successful police action against firearms suppliers, both within Hong Kong and in China, and better liaison with the Chinese law enforcement agencies to stop illegal import of firearms.
Vehicle Theft
The patterns of vehicle theft did not change significantly. Joint efforts in border control by the Hong Kong and Chinese authorities slowed down thefts of articulated tractor units, which had been prevalent in the previous year. However, it remained a major concern.
Unmanifested left-hand-drive vehicles continued to be seized in transit through Hong Kong to China. Some of the vehicles were stolen in other jurisdictions and sent to China through Hong Kong.
The number of luxury cars reported missing continued to drop. Again, China provided the marketplace for such vehicles, and enforcement action by the Chinese authorities has had significant impact.
Organised Crime and Triads
Action against organised crime continued to be a high priority. Long-term, intelligence-led, and complex investigations continued to yield results.
Proactive operations involving undercover operations produced notable successes. In particular, senior members of the Fuk Yee Hing and Wo Shing Wo societies were convicted of serious criminal offences under the provisions of the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance.
Action against loansharks continued to be a high priority and several syndicates were neutralised during the year.
Action against triads and organised crime has been substantially enhanced since the full implementation of the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance on April 28, 1995. In 1996, police successfully applied to the courts to invoke the special investigative powers under the ordinance to compel witnesses to attend interviews and to demand the production of documents, to assist with inquiries into two major triad or organised crime investigations. Criminal assets valued at more than $5.8 million have been confiscated and $5 million are being restrained pending court proceedings.
In addition, six money laundering prosecutions have been launched. Following conviction in nine cases of a triad-related or serious nature, enhanced sentencing of the defendants was applied for. Some defendants received sentence increases ranging from 25 per cent to 66 per cent.
Witness Protection Unit
This unit administers the Witness Protection Programme which co-ordinates the Police Force's overall response to the treatment of endangered witnesses. It comprises 34 specially-selected and trained officers who are capable of providing a variety of protection measures including relocation, the provision of protective security, or furnishing round-the-clock protection in Police-operated safe houses.