XN000022-1996-01-24 — Page 52

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It is worth noting that the prevention and detection measures I have just described have resulted in the decline of illegal immigrants over the past three years, from 37517 in 1993, to 31521 in 1994 and to 26824 in 1995.

Combating Crime

As part of the general crime prevention measures (whether involving Is or otherwise), the Police conduct daily anti-crime operations such as beat patrol, high- rise patrol, road block operations etc. For the more serious crimes, such as armed robberies and syndicated prostitution, the Police Organised Crimes and Triad Bureau collects intelligence on the activities of the criminals concerned and make arrests as appropriate.

The Government shares the concern of the community on the increase in crime in the past year, especially on crimes committed by Ils, and our security forces will remain vigilant in combating this problem in the year ahead. We are on course to meet the target to deploy an additional 400 policemen on the streets in 1995-96. In addition, a further 220 front line Police posts will be created in 1996-97 to strengthen Police presence on the streets. There will thus be a substantial increase in police officers on the front-line between now and 1996-97, and this should help solve the problem of II crimes.

End

Privatisation scheme on car park management

Following is a question by the Hon Choy Kan-pui and a reply by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic S W Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

The Housing Authority has been implementing a phased privatisation scheme on the management of car parks in its housing estates. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

of the savings in expenditure arising from the implementation of the scheme, as well as a comparison of the actual savings with the estimated savings, in each of the past three years; and