TNAG-1735-FCO40-2448-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 82

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 1 June 1988

Written answers to questions

Effectiveness of the neighbourhood police offices scheme

9. MR. POON CHI-FAI asked: In June 1984, neighbourhood police units (NPU) were redesignated as neighbourhood police offices (NPO) which were no longer staffed on a 24-hour basis. Will Government inform this Council:

(a) how the NPO scheme works;

(b) whether the Government is satisfied that the NPO scheme is well received by

local residents; and

(c) whether any review on the NPO scheme has been conducted and, if so, what the findings are; and whether there are any plans to further develop the scheme in the light of such findings?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, although the neighbourhood policing scheme has been revised since it began in 1974, its aim remains to foster closer ties between the police and the community in the fight against crime. The scheme was strengthened in 1984 when neighbourhood police co-ordinators, police sergeants trained in public relations, were introduced.

The NPO scheme works through the police co-ordinators, who are normally based at neighbourhood police offices and are available for consultation with local residents at set times. There are 144 NPO: 57 in the New Territories, 41 in Kowloon, 36 on Hong Kong Island and 10 in the Outlying Islands. A further 19 are either planned or under construction. All NPO are included in the beats of their particular police division and are manned regularly by a patrolling constable, usually for about 15 minutes in every hour. The NPO will be closed when the constable is away on patrol but most have a public telephone for 999 calls. Manning of NPO may vary. For example, the NPO at the Star Ferry concourse on Hong Kong Island is open as long as the Star Ferry is operating.

There is no doubt that the old neighbourhood police units were popular with local residents and many had misgivings when the new scheme was introduced. But there are now more NPO than in 1984 and the neighbourhood police co-ordinators have established very good relations with the communities which they serve. The Commissioner of Police considers that the public have accepted the changes and appreciate that the new scheme allows police resources to be deployed more equitably and effectively.

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