immigrants were assembled, fed, rested and despatched by road and rail back to Chinese Territory by way of Lo Wu, the entry point on the Frontier.
187. In June the situation on the frontier returned to normal, owing to the reimposition of control by the Chinese authorities, but the numbers of persons entering Hong Kong illegally by sea were still excessive despite additional precautions taken in April and assistance given by the Royal Navy.
188. In August the Governor therefore authorized the formation of a special police unit under an Assistant Commissioner, to conduct anti-illegal immigration operations. This unit started operations on September 14th. By that time a combined fleet of Government launches had been assembled which was to provide 21 seaward patrols deployed on a sector system, supported by a support group and a logistics group. By transfers made from other branches of the Force the Marine Division's strength was increased to 5 Senior Officers, 57 Junior Officers 122 N.C.O.'s and 582 P.C.'s. The Royal Navy provided one of H.M. Ships as a sector command vessel and assistance was also given in the first stages of the operation by the R.A.F. and R.A.S.C. The Royal Naval Reserve also provided patrol vessels and the Marine Contingent of the Police Auxiliaries spent their summer camp and a number of week-ends manning craft and relieving their regular counter- parts.
189. The operation was continuing at the end of the year dependent by that time mainly on the Marine Police and the Revenue Service. In its first six months over 75,000 craft had been searched, 2,841 illegal immigrants arrested and the majority of these repatriated. 98 persons had been charged with aiding, abetting or harbouring illegal immigrants, and 32 craft and 17 vehicles seized for confiscation. The Royal Navy continues to give a certain amount of assistance.
190. The Marine Department has reduced the time required to repair and maintain government vessels employed in these operations. 191. At the end of the year Government was reviewing all aspects of policing the waters of the Colony. On this the future of this emer- gency operation depends.
EMERGENCY UNITS
192. Each Police district has an Emergency Unit manned by Uni- formed Branch personnel. Each unit consisting of 3 platoons operating on a 24-hour basis mans patrol cars which are in radio contact with
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