K 3
Appendix K.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE 1939.
SECTION I. GENERAL.
1. In the year 1939 repercussions of Sino-Japanese hostilities were even more marked than they had been in 1938. The Japanese landing in South China in October 1938 followed by the occupation of Canton and the taking up of positions on the frontier caused a large influx of refugees into Hong Kong and led to the disruption of government in Kwang-tung. Japanese troops took up positions along Hong Kong's mainland frontier on 21.2.39 and remained in the neighbourhood in greater or smaller numbers until 30.12.39 when they were withdrawn from the immediate vicinity of the frontier. The occupation of the frontier started with an attack on Shum Chun; during the course of which Japanese planes dropped bombs in British territory, and caused casualties. During August large Japanese forces took up their position near our frontier, but by the end of the month the main forces had been withdrawn and only small parties remained. Further details are given in Section 9.
2. The continued influx of refugees during 1939 following on the earlier immigration experienced in 1937 and 1938 has produced most serious effects on the social and economic life of the Colony. Throughout this report it has been found necessary repeatedly to refer to "the influx of refugees". Some of the more obvious effects are an increase of serious crime, especially robbery (on land and in Colonial waters), larceny, and of minor offences such as unlicensed hawking. Social evils such as prostitution, gambling and illicit opium and heroin divans have also been accentuated. (See Section 5).
3. The outbreak of war between Great Britain and Germany on September 3rd resulted in a great increase of the duties and responsibilities of the Police Force, particularly of the Special Branch. Police were called upon when war was declared to carry out the internment of certain male enemy aliens, and for a few days only, to guard the premises of enemy firms. Since then the work of the Special Branch, particularly the Passports, Aliens Registration, and Defence Sections, has increased greatly, while a number of regular duty Police have been used in guarding certain essential services. The work of the Special Branch is detailed in Section 6.
4. In view of the abnormal conditions prevailing in the Colony, the strength of the Force becomes of paramount importance. Detailed figures are given in Section 11. The position for 1940 is that there is a deficiency below the number required to man all beats and posts of approximately 30 men, and this deficiency is now magnified by the necessity of providing men for special duties due to the war and Sino-Japanese hostilities. It will therefore be necessary to ask that the Police Force should be further strengthened in 1941.
5. The Police Reserve whose activities are given in Annexe A to this report have rendered valuable services by providing trained reserves for duty daily between 8 p.m. and midnight to make up the shortage of regular police. I take this opportunity to express my thanks for these services.
6. The graph opposite illustrates for the years 1931 to 1939 the following figures:
(a) Population of the Colony (only a rough approximation can be given for 1937 and onwards).
(b) Strength of the Police Force.
(c) Total serious crime.
The salient features are (a) population has increased by 111% (c) serious crime has increased by 123%. The number of police per 10,000 inhabitants has decreased from 23 in 1931 to 12 in 1939.