XN000022-1974-05-24 — Page 9

PRIJAY, MAY 24, 1974

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HOUSING OFFICER HURT IN ATTACK

AN OFFICER OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS ATTACKED AND INJURED THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING DURING A STRUGGLE WHICH OCCURRED AT THE TSZ WAN SHAN ESTATE.

THE STRUGGLE TOOK PLACE SHORTLY AFTER AN ESTATE TIDINESS TEAM HAD COMPLETED ITS ROUTINE ACTION AT ELOCK NINE TO 12.

EARLIER TODAY, A TIDINESS TEAM WAS SENT OUT TO THE BLOCKS TO CLEAR AWAY OBSTRUCTIONS CAUSED BY ESTATE TENANTS.

MEMBERS OF THE TEAM WENT UPSTAIRS AFTER HAVING REMOVED ONTO A LORRY SOME CHAIRS AND TACLES WHICH WERE CAUSING OBSTRUCTION OUTSIDE A CAFE AT BLOCK 11. AT THIS TIME THE LORRY DRIVER, WHO WAS STANDING ALONE AT THE SIDE OF HIS CAR, WAS ATTACKED AND PUNCHED SEVERAL TIMES. HOWEVER HE MANAGED TO ESCAPE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE ESTATE OFFICE AT BLOCK FOUR.

SHORTLY AFTERWARD, TWO YOUNG MEN ARMED WITH KNIVES

+

APPROACHED THE ESTATE OFFICE AND WANTED TO CLAIM THE PROPERTY BACK. THE ESTATE OFFICE STAFF INFORMED THE POLICE WHO LATER ARRIVED AND BROUGHT THE YOUNG MEN AND THE DRIVER TO THE POLICE STATION FOR ENQUIRY.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS A GROUP OF PEOPLE GATHERED OUTSIDE THE ESTATE OFFICE AND WHEN THE GROUP GREY IN SIZE THE ESTATE OFFICE STAFF LOCKED THE FRONT IRON GATE.

HOWEVER THE GATE WAS DAMAGED BY THE UNRULY, CROWD WHO USED IRON BAKS AND WATER PIPES TO BREAK IN BY FORCE.

THE OFFICER IN CHARGE WHO TRIED TO STOP THEM FROM RUSHING INTO THE OFFICE WAS ATTACKED BY THE GROUP AND WAS HIT ON THE HEAD BY A HARD OBJECT WHICH RESULTED IN A FRACTURED SKULL.

POLICE WERE AGAIN CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE INJURED OFFICER WAS RUSHED TO HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

NO ARREST HAS BEEN MADE AND POLICE ENQUIRIES ARE

PROCEEDING.

COMMENTING ON THE INCIDENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT STRONGLY DENIED THAT ESTATE STAFF OFTEN USED FORCE WHEN CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTY.

HE SAID THAT ALL STAFF HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT AND PATIENCE IN PERFORMING THEIR DUTY.

+THE JOB IS A MOST UNTHANKFUL ONE BUT IT IS MOST ESSENTIAL

TO GOOD ESTATE MANAGEMENT. WITHOUT THEIR EFFORT THE ESTATES WOULD SOON TURN INTO SLUMS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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