K 3
3. While there was a large increase in the total number of cases coming under the heading of Serious Crime, the number of cases of Robbery, Murder, Attempted Murder, Burglary and House and Godown Breaking shows a decrease as compared with 1923. There was a small increase in the number of cases of Larceny in a Dwelling House, and a more considerable increase in Larcenies. Piracy continued to be a serious problem at the beginning of the year, and after the Piracy of the Sham Shui Po Ferry Launch "Kwong Shun On" on 2nd March, 1924, it was considered advisable to engage further temporary searchers for ferries plying within the waters of the Colony. The strength of the searching staff for Outgoing Steamers and Ferries, on 31st December, 1924, was:--
1924 1923 Europeans 6 3 Chinese (regular) 39 30 Chinese (temporary) 49 15 Total 94 48Table III gives particulars of Piracies reported to the Police during 1924.
GUARDS.
Number of Guards employed during the year:--
1924 1923 Steamer Guards (Indian) 371 326 Steam Launch Guards (Chinese) 18 22 Shore Guards (Indian) 406 420 Shore Guards (Chinese) 28 28 Special Guards, Lewis Gunner (Indian) 50 Total 873 796Number of vessels which have entered into bond up to 31st December, 1924:--
1924 1923 Steamers 249 233 Steam Launches 45 40 Total 294 273