TNAG-0551-FCO40-646-Allegations-of-corruption-and-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-police-an-1975 — Page 29

GR 980.

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 2908052

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY NO. 51

TOP COPY

157

29 JUL 1975

WKKIN

TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELNO 742 OF 29 JUL

NFO ROUTINE HONG KONG

GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON (FCO PLEASE PASS).

YOUR TELEGRAMS 576 AND 577

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PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS.

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REF.

576 (A) OVER 7,000 REPORTS WERE MADE TO THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE ICAC DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDED 30TH JUNE 1975, OF WHICH 3,408 CONCERNED CORRUPTION (AN INCREASE OF 133% OVER THE 12 MONTHS PERIOD PRECEDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ICAC). THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT MADE 191 ARRESTS (AN INCREASE OF 110%) RESULTING IN 121 CONVICTIONS (AN INCREASE OF 64%). IN ADDITION, 23 PEOPLE

ABSCONDED WHILST UNDER INVESTIGATION.

BACKGROUND,

AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN THE SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY THROUGH

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OF WEALTH ACQUIRED CORRUPTLY, THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS CAUSING INCREASING INSECURITY AMONGST THOSE

WHO HAVE PROFITED IN THE PAST FROM CORRUPT ACTIVITIES AND THOSE

STILL INVOLVED. THE ACTIVITIES OF THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT HAVE

ALSO CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF

THE PROBLEMS OF CORRUPTION AND THE DETERMINATION OF THE GOVERNMENT

TO ROOT IT OUT.

576 (B) IN ADDITION TO ITS REPORT CENTRE, WHICH IS MANNED 24 HOURS

A DAY, THE COMMISSION HAS ESTABLISHED A COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPART-

MENT TO WIN PUBLIC SUPPORT AGAINST CORRUPTION. PUBLICITY AND

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES ARE BEING PROMOTED THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA, THROUGH PERSONAL CONTACTS, AND THROUGH EIGHT PLANNED LIAISON OFFICES,

THE FIRST THREE OF WHICH WILL BE OPENED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

$75 (C) THE REMOVAL OF CORRUPTION OPPORTUNITIES IS ONLY ONE OF THE

FACTORS TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CONSIDERING ANY CHANGE IN

GAMBLING POLICY. IT IS CONSIDERED WISE TO MOVE CAUTIOUSLY IN A TIME

CONFIDENTIAL

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