TNAG-1732-FCO40-2445-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 168

The NPO scheme was reviewed at the end of 1984 and

again in late 1987. In 1984 the conclusion was that the

reorganisation had allowed better use of police resources; general criticism by the public had been minor; and that

external telephones should be fitted for the public to call

999 when the NPO was closed.

The 1987 review confirmed that the NPO scheme is a

more effective use of police manpower, putting more officers

on the streets and giving more even police coverage throughout

Hong Kong. The number of crimes reported has levelled and

there has been a slight increase in those detected. Fewer

reports have been made to NPO but more have been made to

patrolling officers. Since 1984 slightly more arrests have

been made by members of the public.

There are no plans to revise the NPO scheme although

it is intended that it should expand to keep pace with the

needs of the community.

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