PUBLIC ORDER
In all, 33 139 crimes, or 46.1 per cent of the total, were detected, with 40 422 people arrested for various criminal offences. Of those arrested, 5 834 were juvenile offenders (aged between seven and 15 years) and 6 613 were young persons (16 to 20).
Violent Crime (Firearms only)
Although there was a slight increase in the overall crime figures in 1998, the number of robberies involving the use of genuine firearms dropped markedly. Sustained police enforcement and investigation action, coupled with close co-operation with the Mainland police, have contributed to a fall in the total number of robberies involving genuine firearms from 13 in 1997 to seven in 1998.
Vehicle Theft
There was a 10.3 per cent increase in vehicle theft in 1998. Of concern was the rising trend in the theft of high-powered sports vehicles due to increased organised racing activities. Theft of commercial vehicles such as tractors and light goods vehicles also experienced an increase. Theft of luxury vehicles however decreased significantly as a result of advanced anti-theft devices installed by manufacturers.
The continued co-operation and co-ordinated enforcement action by Hong Kong and Mainland authorities led to a significant drop in the smuggling of stolen vehicles from Hong Kong to the Mainland, in particular by sea.
The smuggling of left-hand-drive vehicles stolen from overseas into the Mainland via Hong Kong, prevalent in 1997, was kept under control due to enhanced communication and co-operation between the Hong Kong Police and overseas law enforcement agencies.
Organised Crime and Triads
The organised crime and triad scene did not show significant changes from previous years. Triads were involved mostly in extortion, loansharking, illegal gambling and prostitution. But the problem was not serious. There were 2 623 triad-related cases which represents 3.6 per cent of the overall reported crime. The figure has been dropping in the last four years, the average of which was about four per cent.
During the year, a total of 14 cases were prosecuted and $200,000, being the proceeds of various crimes, was confiscated. A further $58,392,580 was under restraint pending court proceedings. There was one successful application to the court to enhance the defendant's sentence for triad-related crimes. This resulted in the sentence being increased by 50 per cent.
The Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance, which was fully implemented in 1995, continued to enhance the force's drive against triads and organised crime. During 1998, the special investigative powers were used in major investigations.
Witness Protection Unit
Co-ordinating the force's Witness Protection Programme, the unit protects witnesses assessed to be exposed to genuine physical risk. Unit personnel are trained in various protective security and bodyguarding skills and are capable of providing witnesses with a wide range of tailor-made protective measures, including 24-hour armed protection, relocation and courtroom security during testimony.
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