pilfering from the recently-opened Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminal. Two major cases are worthy of note. The first involved the theft of leather coats to the value of $150,000, in respect of which three persons were arrested and charged with conspiracy offences. The second occurred in Decem- ber, when gold bars, gold coins and diamonds to the value of $4 million were stolen; one arrest was made in this case.
The airport continued to be a potential point of entry of illegal narcotics. With the increase in passenger traffic, especially from Southeast Asia countries, there was a corresponding rise in the number of arrests of incoming passengers for possession of dangerous drugs for the purpose of unlawful trafficking.
Airport security problems at Kai Tak during the year included an increasing number of hoax bomb threats, a general standby in anticipation of the arrival of a hijacked plane, and the organisation of protective security measures relating to the ever-increasing number of VIPs passing through Hong Kong. Senior police officers visited several airports in Asia and Australia to exchange views and assess security measures overseas.
Wong Tai Sin Division
Wong Tai Sin comprises mainly public housing estates of a residential, commercial and industrial nature which generate a heavy workload in both sub-divisions of Wong Tai Sin and Tze Wan Shan. The division also embraces the rural Sai Kung peninsula, including the village of Hang Hau.
The number of crimes reported was 8,240 or 1,564 per 100,000 population, as against 6,525 or 1,247.6 per 100,000 in 1975. The detection rate was 75 per cent compared with 54.9 per cent.
A particular problem was a spate of assaults on girls in the several estates in the division, especially in public toilets. A special team was formed to combat the problem, resulting in the arrest of a man who was subsequently charged and convicted of five counts of rape, six counts of indecent assault and nine counts of robbery and various other offences.
In April, the arrest of a man by two patrolling police officers led to the seizure of several knives, seven sticks of dynamite and two detonators at the man's home, and the subsequent seizure of a further five sticks of dynamite. Enquiries revealed that the man was responsible for a series of robberies in Kowloon and a large quantity of the proceeds was recovered. The man and his brother were given prison sentences of five years and four years respectively.
Following requests by residents, a police post was opened in the rural village of Hang Hau in June. It is intended to expand the neighbourhood policing scheme which currently operates at Choi Hung to other areas such as the Lok Fu, Wang Tau Hom and Tung Tau estates.
A new scheme of patrolling recreation areas was imple- mented in Wong Tai Sin and Tze Wan Shan in June. Since
the inception of the scheme, some success has been achieved in deterring crime.
Kwun Tong Division
Kwun Tong, the most easterly division of Kowloon District, comprises mainly public housing estates and commercial and industrial complexes, although there is a rural area in the former refugee village of Rennie's Mill.
Crime increased during 1976 with 6,924 reports repre- senting 1,171.9 per 100,000 population compared to 5,185 or 951.4 per 100,000 in 1975. The detection rate rose from 44.7 per cent to 64.2 per cent.
Extortion from hawkers, shopkeepers and factory opera- tors which has, for several years, provided a lucrative target for triad elements was the subject of intensive counter measures. A total of 35 blackmail syndicates were neutra- lised, resulting in the prosecution of 65 people for more than 2,000 blackmail offences. This significant success was due largely to the increased willingness of victims to report to the police in the first instance and to give evidence in court. This trend is a representation of closer local contact and co-operation with the community, whether by con- stables on the beat or through organised schemes.
In August, tragedy struck the Sau Mau Ping housing estate when a landslide behind two blocks killed 18 people, including nine children. Another landslide occurred in the Cha Kwo Ling resite area in which a 10-year-old child died.
Traffic
The density of population in Kowloon is matched by the vehicle density and the primary aim of the Traffic Division, as elsewhere in Hong Kong, is to reduce the toll of deaths, injury and damage to property on the roads. The importance of this aim is emphasised by the number of people killed and injured in traffic accidents in Kowloon during 1976. In the 7,876 accidents recorded, 181 people were killed, 2,723 seriously injured and 4,558 slightly injured.
The police aim is achieved both by the education of the public and by prosecutions. At road blocks during the year, motorists were frequently stopped, licence particulars and vehicles checked and, if necessary, vehicles required to undergo inspection. The introduction of the moving fixed penalty system will further facilitate enforcement. The education of the public continued through the Road Safety Section. It supervised 42 school safety patrols, the operation of the road safety town at Sau Mau Ping and talks at schools - which in 1976 reached no fewer than 90,000 students.
Another important aim is to ensure as free a traffic flow as possible, compatible with safety. This is achieved by controlling traffic, removing obstructions to both vehicles. and pedestrians, planning and implementing diversions, and regulating pedestrian movement across roads. The construction of the mass transit railway has produced special problems in this area with the need to implement extensive diversions.
33
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.