NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT
The New Territories District, occupying 245.1 square miles, comprises some 60.5 per cent of the land area of Hong Kong - 245.1 and if Lantau and outlying islands are discounted, it amounts to some 72.6 per cent. Originally rural in nature, it has been the subject of extensive urbanisa- tion with major population centres developing in Kwai Chung and Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun in the west, and Sha Tin in the east. Further development is planned on Tsing Yi Island off Kwai Chung, in Tai Po, and in Sheung Shui near the frontier.
Thus, a quiet rural environment has been transformed into a configuration of high-density residential, industrial and commercial centres surrounded by surviving and preserved rural communities. The integration of the new population of various ethnic groups and the local communi- ties requires realistic and enlightened Government and Police planning in administration and management.
In 1976 the population was about 900,000 while the projected figure for 1986 is 2.1 million, indicating a con- tinued rapid pace of development. Because of the retention of rural areas, the population density is lower than elsewhere in Hong Kong at 1,371 per square kilometre (3,564 per square mile), but in the urban areas it is far higher. For example, in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung there are 7,393 people per square kilometre (19,214 per square mile).
The increase in population and the expansion and diver- sification of industry was inevitably accompanied by an increase in crime - by some 5.7 per cent, while the detection rate fell slightly by 4.8 per cent. Police efforts were aimed at countering crime, particularly in high-density areas, while at the same time maintaining coverage of and links with rural communities.
The community relations task in the district is also somewhat unique since it has to embrace liaison with urban population through such bodies as the Mutual Aid Com- mittees and with the rural communities through Rural Committees, often in the same division. Strenuous and continuing efforts are made to achieve a balanced and high degree of co-operation.
The main organisational change was the opening of the Kwai Chung station and the consequential creation of a new division which assumed responsibility for part of the district previously policed by Tsuen Wan. The district now comprises Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long, Frontier and Sha Tin divisions. The overall establishment in 1976 was 7,648 police officers and 317 civilians.
Construction work began on the new Sha Tin Divisional Station and the Frontier Divisional Station, while the construction and equipping of the command and control centre at Kwai Chung in preparation for the extension of the beat radio scheme to the district was well advanced.
Crime and Policing
The number of crimes reported during 1976 was 7,311 or 836.9 per 100,000 of population, as against 6,915 or 752.4 per 100,000 of population in 1975. This was an increase of
5.7 per cent. The detection rate fell from 54 per cent to 49.2 per cent.
The increase in reported crime was centred in the fastest- growing areas, notably Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung, and was attributable at least in part to increased population, the opening of Kwai Chung Divisional Station and improved reporting facilities in large housing estates. A campaign was pursued throughout the year to encourage members of the public to report crime.
An increasing problem was caused by large scale (numerically) robberies of groups of picnickers who visit the rural areas in considerable numbers, particularly at weekends and holidays. A number of arrests were made and special patrols were introduced to combat this type of crime. As part of the urbanisation and programme of improve- ments to the environment, a number of large-scale clearances of squatters were undertaken by the Government which required the presence of police. All were carried out successfully and peacefully.
Tsuen Wan Division
The original Tsuen Wan Division was reduced to approxi- mately half its former size with the opening of Kwai Chung Division in March. Apart from a scattered residential area extending beyond the 10 milestone on Castle Peak Road, the population resides mainly in Government housing estates at Fuk Loi and Tai Wo Hau, and in private high-rise buildings.
The number of crimes reported was 2,226 reflecting an incidence of 978.1 per 100,000 of population, while the detection rate was 52.9 per cent. Because of the reorgani- sation into two divisions a quarter of the way through the year, direct comparisons with 1975 cannot be made. However, if the total of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung divisions for 1976 are taken against Tsuen Wan for 1975, the crime incidence increased by 7.9 per cent from 4,228 or 945.9 per 100,000 to 4,563 or 1,006.1 per 100,000, while the detection rate fell from 51.6 per cent to 45.5 per cent. Criminal activities were most prevalent in the Tai Wo Hau estate and in Tsuen Wan town. Woundings by mem- bers of triad societies and other triad activities decreased considerably in the face of police pressure. Five payroll robberies or attempted robberies occurred and were found to have been carefully planned. One was detected, resulting in the prosecution of the offenders. Efforts continued to persuade factory owners, businesses and bankers to ensure adaquate security precautions. Of five murders and at- tempted murders, three were detected. The most notable case was an extremely brutal murder of a five-year-old girl by her father and his girl friend, which resulted in their conviction.
The township of Tsuen Wan contains numerous factories, godowns, oil installations and other commercial under- takings ranging from small family enterprises to large, modern plants. Despite underemployment, there was little labour unrest and only 17 industrial disputes were recorded, all minor cases involving wages and compensation.
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