Year
Event
Source
1919
8 serious cross-border armed robberies. The Customs Stations closed in 1918 re-opened (August).
AR JLHG
1920
Refugees flee to New Territories from communal fighting in border area. Assisted cross-border crimes increase. Sha Yue Chung Customs Station sacked by bandits.
AR
1921
Increase in smuggling native tobacco from China. 4 piracies (including of the Sha Yue Chung Ferry). Further armed cross-border banditry.
AR
1922
2 piracies on the Sha Yue Chung Ferry. Fighting between pirate bands in Mirs Bay.
AR
1923
Large increase in smuggling, due to disturbances in the border area. Serious cross-border armed raids, an execution in China as a result.
AR
1924
Unsettled conditions, due to continuous fighting between Sun and Chen Faction armies for control of district. Upsurge in cross-border crime, including 8 armed raids, some mounted by Chinese irregular soldiers.
AR
1925
Boycott causes considerable trouble in Sha Tau Kok. Huge crime wave of cross-border crime. "Quite 90% of crimes committed in the New Territories could be traced to persons coming from over the border". Sinkers enter and terrorise New Territories villages. British troops sent to Sha Tau Kok to restore order. Hoi Luk Fung Soviet rebellion affects Mirs Bay area.
JLHG
1926
Conditions better, but disturbed conditions across the border lead to boom in New Territories because of the number of refugees seeking houses. Many matsheds erected for refugees. Heavier border policing needed. Mirs Bay fishermen unable to fish except close inshore because of "disturbed conditions".
AR
1927
Conditions better, but still troubled near border. Attempted piracy of Tolo Harbour ferry junk. Heavier policing of Sha Tau Kok border area reduces cross-border crime. Border patrol constructed in New Territories.
AR
1928
Increase in smuggling. Violence against recent refugee arrivals in New Territories. Chinese irregulars replaced by regulars and disciplined at Sha Tau Kok – Major piracy in Mirs Bay ("Fean" case). Hoi Luk Fung Soviet rebellion affects Mirs Bay area.
ASR
1929
Customs seek major increase in staff because of increased smuggling (every year until late 1910s). Much better conditions on border because of better policing on Chinese side of border.
AR
1930
Increase in smuggling. Kai Miu Customs Station sacked by bandits.
AR, JLHG
1931
Increase in smuggling, especially sugar. Sha Tau Customs Station sacked by bandits. 2 Battles with smugglers off entrance to Pearl River ("Loser Maru" case). Inadequate customs staff members leads to problems.
AR JLHG
1932
Increase in smuggling, especially sugar and cloth. Smuggling on Railway a growing problem. Smuggling through Lok Ma Chau and Sheung Shui a growing problem. Smuggling on Shan Chun River a growing problem. Kai Chung Customs Station sacked by bandits. Gun battles with smugglers at Law Fong (twice), Chek Mei, Man Kam To.
AR, JLHG
187