- 9
Wednesday, October 18, 1972
Over the past four years key crime had increased by 40 per cent
murder, manslaughter, serious assaults and robbery
and violent crimes
by 135 per cent
-
and that the proportion of young people committing
these crimes had steadily increased.
Sir Murray said that the Royal Hong Kong Police Force is one
of the finest in the world, but it is at present well under strength.
"It is obviously essential that every man available should be
on the beat," he said.
The Commissioner of Police has undertaken a far-reaching review
to devise means of releasing trained policemen from work which could
just as well be done by civilians, so that police officers can spend
their time on law enforcement. This should soon show results, he added.
With regard to punishment, the Governor said that two major
changes have been introduced. The first is the right of the crown to
appeal to the Supreme Court against sentences it considers inadequate.
The second is the establishment, in response to the Chief Justice's
proposal, of a Detention Centre for young people. This new form of punishment
for young offenders has been designed to be short but rather sharp.
Sir Murray also mentioned that a police school to provide two
years training for 600 young people in the 16 to 18 age group intending
to enter the Force would be shortly set up.
/However,