and were not motivated by any other reason. For some the occasion provided an outlet for youthful energy. The provision of recreational facilities and space on a larger scale is clearly one of the positive measures which can be taken in meeting this problem.
6. The Police are of course concerned with the prevention of juvenile crime more directly. Juvenile liaison police teams established in 1963 have continued to keep in contact with trends in youth activity and with young people, particularly in those areas where there is a potential for crime and where juveniles tend to congregate in groups for recreation in dance halls and elsewhere. In this work they maintain liaison with official and voluntary agencies concerned with youth work. A system, named after its place of origin, Liverpool, has been in force since 1963, whereby juveniles arrested for offences may in certain circumstances be referred by the Divisional Superintendents concerned to the liaison sec- tion instead of proceeding by way of prosecution. The juvenile is released but contact is maintained with him and his family to try to discourage any further lapse into crime. It is too soon to say how effective the system is, but the percentage of cases coming to police notice for second offences has been very low. 600 cases have been dealt with in this way during the year.
7. The events at the beginning of the year gave impetus to the Police Training Programme, particularly in the internal security role. Satisfactory progress has been made in this field and in the provision of equipment of all kinds.
8. Recruitment has proceeded satisfactorily and at the end of the year the Force was close to its full strength and in good shape to meet any challenge ahead.
INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE POLICE
The April Disturbances
9. Disturbances broke out in Kowloon on 6th April and continued until 8th April. The Force was fully mobilized in its emergency formation on 6th April, supported by the Auxiliary Police Companies, the Hong Kong Regiment and units of the Regular Army. The pretext for the disturbances was the proposed increases in the fares of the Star Ferry Co. services which were then under consideration. Small groups of young demonstrators drew onto the streets large numbers of youths who proceeded to commit acts of vandalism causing damage to property amounting to $1 million and stoning the Police units engaged. Curfews
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