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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1984
THE COST OF LIVING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IS HIGH, AND THE ANNUAL EXPENSES FOR A STUDENT MAY NOW RANGE FROM 6 950 POUND STERLING TO 11 450 POUND STERLING, DEPENDING ON HIS COURSE OF STUDY, HE SAID,
HOWEVER, STUDENTS TAKING EITHER A FULL-TIME FIRST DEGREE OR HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA COURSE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM MAY APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNICS GRANTS COMMITTEE.
THOSE OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE MAY APPLY THROUGH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FOR PLACES IN THE HONG KONG STUDENTS CENTRE IN LONDON.
THOSE WISHING TO APPLY FOR A PLACE IN THE CENTRE, AND WHO WISH TO OBTAIN THE HELP AND ADVICE OF THE STUDENT ADVISER OR THE BRITISH COUNCIL IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, SHOULD COMPLETE ALL FORMALITIES WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE THE IR DEPARTURE, HE SAID.
SPECIAL UNIT TO FIGHT CAR THEFTS
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A SPECIALIST VEHICLE CRIME UNIT HAS BEEN SET UP IN KOWLOON TO COMBAT CAR THEFTS WHICH HAVE BECOME A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY IN THE REGION.
THE OFFICER-COMMANDING REGIONAL CRIME UNIT SIX (RCU 6) IN KOWLOON, CHIEF INSPECTOR MARK GODFREY, SAID AS MANY AS 100 CARS A MONTH DISAPPEARED FROM THE REGION.
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HE SAID THESE ARE EITHER EXPORTED TO OTHER COUNTRIES, STRIPPED FOR THEIR PARTS OR THEY ARE GIVEN NEW CHASSIS NUMBERS, REPAINTED AND FIXED UP AND RE-SOLD TO INNOCENT BUYERS.''
SENIOR INSPECTOR DAVID GRANT, IN CHARGE OF THE VEHICLE CRIME UNIT SAID: "WE HAVE CARS GOING AROUND AT THE MOMENT WHICH WE KNOW HAVE BEEN STOLEN AND HAVE HAD THEIR CHASSIS NUMBERS ALTERED.
''THEY HAVE BEEN BOUGHT BY INNOCENT PURCHASERS. BUT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS PROOF THAT SOMEONE HANDLED THE CARS KNOWING THEM TO BE STOLEN.
IT'S A DIFFICULT JOB AS THOSE INVOLVED GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO CONFUSE THE TRAIL THROUGH BOGUS REGISTRATION AND OTHER MEANS. ONE CAR MAY HAVE HAD AS MANY AS 10 OWNERS, MOST OF THEM BOGUS.
**ONE MERCEDES BENZ WE KNOW OF CHANGED HANDS FOUR TIMES IN ONE DAY WITH ONE OWNER'' POSSESSING THE CAR FOR ONLY 1-1/2 HOURS.
/''SOME PEOPLE