PUBLIC ORDER AND SECURITY
Police. In 1990, a great deal of the time and energy of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force was taken up by an upsurge in the use of firearms on the streets, a substantial increase in the influx of illegal immigrants arriving in the territory and smuggling at sea. There was also cause for concern about the degree of violence used by criminal elements and the apparent ease with which firearms were obtained.
One of the most vicious crimes of the year was the fire-bombing of a Kowloon mahjong association which left six people dead and 23 injured. Triad involvement was suspected in this cruel and calculated attack.
Open challenge to law and order was demonstrated by some Triad factions during the sale of flats by some property developers in Kowloon and the New Territories. Prompt Police action led to the arrest of 156 persons, 131 of whom were charged.
Although fewer Vietnamese Boat People came to Hong Kong in 1990, the commitment of Police resources remained considerable. Marine Police continued to provide an effective screen at sea and, together with officers based in the land regions, they were called upon to escort illegal immigrants from Vietnam move- ments and to respond to incidents in the various detention centres. Police are still involved in either manning or guarding three centres requiring a duty deployment of about 550 officers.
Recruitment and wastage continued to be major problems throughout the year at a time when the Force was expanding to meet its growing responsibilities, particularly the resumption of border duties. The recruitment of junior officers improved considerably in the last quarter, apparently due to the pay increase. Promotion prospects in the Force remain excellent at most levels.
In November, the Force was honoured by a visit by HRH Princess Alexandra, in her capacity as Honorary Commandant General. One of her principal engagements was officiating at the opening of Arsenal House Phase I of the new Police Headquarters complex.
Armed Forces. The Armed Forces based in Hong Kong form a cosmopolitan garrison, with Gurkhas from Nepal making up nearly half the numbers and the rest being divided between locally-recruited Hong Kong Chinese and service personnel from the United Kingdom. In addition, Hong Kong has its own locally-raised regiment of part-time soldiers - The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers). The Commander British Forces, with the rank of Major General, is an overall command of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force elements based in Hong Kong which make up the garrison. The garrison numbers about 11,000 men and women 8,500 military and some 2,500 civilian support staff. There are three Royal Navy patrol craft and an infantry brigade of one British and three Gurkha battalions, supported by Gurkha engineer, communications and transport regi- ments. There is also an Army Air Corps squadron equipped with Scout helicopters. The RAF provides medium-lift air support with a squadron of Wessex helicopters. Among the supporting units there is an Army Maritime Troop with three landing- craft which have become well known to residents of outlying islands as the transporters of everything from men to earth-moving equipment.
wwwww
A significant part of the garrison's work is devoted to controlling illegal immigration attempts by land or sea. The Royal Navy patrols Hong Kong waters and a battalion mans the land border 24 hours a day, every day of the year, apart from when the Volunteers take on border duties for two weeks each year.
In 1990, there was a big increase in the number of illegal border crossers who were intercepted by the security forces.
8
ROAD TRANSPORT
Road Network. Hong Kong's roads have one of the highest vehicle densities in the world. At the end of 1990, there were 363,520 licenced vehicles and about 1,484 kilometres of road - 403 on Hong Kong Island, 379 in Kowloon and 702 in the New Territories. This high vehicle density, combined with the difficult terrain and dense building development, poses a constant challenge to transport planners. There are seven major road tunnels, over 656 flyovers and bridges, 379 footbridges and 218 subways to keep vehicles and people on the move.
To cope with ever-increasing transport demands, the Highways Department has embarked on an extensive construction programme, with about 50 road projects under construction and a similar number being actively planned at any one time.
Expenditure on highway projects was about $2,240 million, representing a 9 per cent increase compared with 1989, while another $607 million was spent on improving and maintaining existing roads.
On Hong Kong Island, the major project Route 7 was completed early in 1990. Route 7 provides two-way free-flow along Connaught Road from Harcourt Road to Hill Road, including the construction of two flyovers at Harcourt Road and Rumsey Street, an underpass at Pedder Street, widening of Connaught Road West and several footbridges.
In Kowloon, traffic conditions along Route 2 at Gascoigne Road have significantly improved with the completion of work on Gascoigne Road Flyover. Route 1 has also been improved by the completion of the Princess Margaret Road Flyover reconstruction in mid-1989.
In the New Territories, remaining sections of the New Territories Circular Road from Pak Shek Au to Au Tau are being constructed in stages and will be completed in 1991. The first stage of a principal road link with China at Lok Ma Chau, which connects with the New Territories Circular Road at a grade-separated interchange, was completed in December 1989.
A Tuen Mun to Yuen Long Eastern Corridor has been planned in the north- western New Territories, to provide an eastern continuation of Route 2. This corridor is a two-way trunk road along the castern side of Castle Peak Road to connect with the proposed Yuen Long Southern By-pass. Construction commenced in May 1990 for completion in mid-1993.
Licensing. The number of private cars registered rose from 28,099 in 1989 to 28,926 in 1990, an increase of 3 per cent. In 1982, when the total number of licensed private cars was about 190,000, restraint measures were introduced in the form of substantial increases in private cars licence fees and first registration tax. Despite this, and the introduction in 1986 of compulsory annual inspections of six-year-old cars, the total number of licensed cars in December 1990 was 197,852 which represented a growth of 9.8 per cent from the total of 180,184 in December 1989. The total number of registered goods vehicles in December 1990 was 130,045 compared with 123,164 in December 1989, an increase of 5.6 per cent.
Public Transport. The Hong Kong public transport system is notable for its variety of modes and operators and its intensity of service. A network of rail, ferry, bus and other road services extends to almost every part of the territory.
9
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.