Police-1957-1958 — Page 10

Regulations have been of great value. The effect of the more extensive application of police supervision on the criminal element made possible by legislation introduced in 1956 has also been marked. Another factor of no small importance is the co-operation which the police continue to receive from members of the public and it is an encouraging sign that every year more people supply information to the police and also help in the actual apprehension of offenders responsible for committing crime.

5. Despite these favourable factors, to achieve these results and perform the wide range of duties required of it, the Force was extended to the limits of its strength. It is apparent that the demands on the Force will continue to increase with the rapid growth of the Colony.

6. Two problems in particular are far from being solved; these problems, which are not unconnected, are the drug traffic and the Triad gangs. Despite the most energetic action addiction to narcotics, mainly heroin, is still disastrously prevalent and the Triad gangs continue to exercise their maleficent influence. These vicious practices can be suppressed, and some success has already been achieved, but only by the most realistic, intensive and sustained effort on the part of all concerned are they likely to be effectively reduced in the foreseeable future.

7. Responsibility for the internal security of the Colony has placed a very heavy burden on the Force. A Police Force on the British model cannot be organized on the lines of a military establishment and in consequence is not adapted for internal security duties in strength. In certain territories where the police have internal security duties this difficulty has been met by the creation of special striking forces or a body of gendarmerie. This would not provide an adequate solution in Hong Kong; the whole Force therefore is now trained to operate in two distinct structures, as a civil force normally and also, should occasion require, as a para-military body. Only the very high general level of ability of the members of the Force permits this complex dual structure to operate effectively. It should be noted that the Auxiliary Police is an essential part of the emergency organization in which it is fully integrated with the Regular Force.

8. The Colony had to contend with a major misfortune, when on 21st May, 1957, and for several days after, extremely heavy rains wrought wide-spread damage. On the mainland both roads to the New Territories and the railway line were blocked by subsidences or landslides, flooding was extensive and numerous landslides occurred

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