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the year. Smuggling of vehicles and other contraband into China remains a problem and containers are now the favourite transportation method. Five new craft specially built to replace the ASTF dai feis are expected to go into service in late 1997 or early 1998.
The Marine Police continued to play an important role in combating illegal immigration from China. During the year, 1 554 people were apprehended when trying to sneak in by sea, compared with 2 410 in 1995.
The majority of arrivals originated from Haifeng, Dongguan and Taishan in Guangdong Province. Economic incentives and family reunion continued to be the major motivating factors behind illegal immigration. Mirs Bay and Deep Bay remained popular crossing points because of the short distance to the Hong Kong coastline. To evade interception, some chose to come by motorised sampans from the Chinese islands of Wailingding and Guishan just south of Hong Kong.
During 1996, a total of 576 Vietnamese migrants arrived in the territory by sea on 50 vessels. Of these, 495 elected to have their vessels refuelled and reprovisioned and to continue their voyage.
Public Relations
The Good Citizen Award Scheme and the Good Citizen of the Year Award Scheme remained effective vehicles for gaining public support in the ongoing fight against crime. The schemes have run successfully since their introduction in 1972 and 1984 respectively, as a long-standing project jointly administered by the Police and Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. So far, the schemes have given recognition to a total of 2 616 public-spirited citizens.
The police telephone hotlines, as in previous years, were productive throughout the year. The general hotline 2527 7177 and the Organised Crime and Triad Hotline 2527 7887 registered 7 995 and 526 calls respectively in 1996, which led to positive results and arrests.
Another favourite avenue for crime reporting, the Crime Information Form, continued to provide useful information. Altogether, 2 189 completed forms were received, resulting in arrests.
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One of the most successful bridges between the police and the community has been a youth organisation Junior Police Call (JPC) set up in 1974. At the end of 1996, the JPC had 750 946 members and leaders. The JPC helps to guide its members towards becoming responsible and law-abiding citizens.
Apart from participation in fight-crime activities and crime-prevention campaigns, JPC members are provided with a wide range of sports, recreational and educational programmes, organised to foster a positive attitude towards a healthy life. In conjunction with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), the Force produces a weekly radio programme Voice of JPC, which provides a good forum for the co- ordination and promotion of youth activities.
The Force also produces, jointly with RTHK, three television programmes, namely, Police Magazine, Crime Watch and Police Report. These programmes, broadcast in Cantonese and English, appeal to the public for information on undetected crimes, issue advice on crime prevention, road safety and special traffic arrangements. Special features highlight current crime trends, topical issues of social and legislative concern
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