TNAG-0538-FCO40-633-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 136

CONFIDENT I AL

3RD DRAFT

lawlessness, the Security Forces have greatly undermined the

strength of, and support in the community for, the terrorist

The level of violence has been significantly

reduced and there has been a period of steady progress in restoring

organisations.

law and order.

33.

These

In the past year 1,367 people were arrested and charged with

terrorist offences, of which 155 related to murder or attempted

murder. 188 people were detained under the Northern Ireland

(Emergency Provisions) Act. 1,260 firearms, 150,000 rounds of

ammunition and nearly 24 tons of explosive were recovered.

successes are reflected in the gradual but significant reduction in

the nature and number of violent incidents, particularly in the

large cities. There were 16 rocket attacks by the Provisional

IRA in which 24 rockets were fired; and a total of 116 mortar

bombs were fired on 16 occasions, often in conjunction with rocket

or small arms fire. The level of bombing at a monthly average of

57 for 1974 represents a reduction since 1973 when the figure was

over 81 per month. Similarly, shooting incidents at a monthly

average of 267 show a decrease over 1973 when there were on average

418 shootings a month. Since January 1974 56 awards for

gallantry have been made to British forces personnel in Northern

Ireland.

34. The weakening of the terrorist forces in Belfast and

Jondonderry and the arrests of many of their leaders has forced

terrorist activities to be diverted to the rural and border areas,

where bombs and booby-traps have been used mainly against the

Security Forces.

ITI

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CONFIDENTIAL