Police-1967-1968 — Page 45

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151. Outside the Harbour limits the waters of the Colony are divided into five Sectors with a number of patrols launches attached to each Sector. A daily average of 12 sea-going launches was maintained on outer screen patrol during the year. A Sector operates as a unit roughly equivalent to a sub-division in a land district.

Illegal Immigration

152. The prevention of illegal immigration remained one of the main tasks of the Marine Police. During the year 43,981 craft were stopped and searched, 2,968 illegal immigrants were arrested and 52 persons were convicted for assisting the entry of illegal immigrants; 92 craft and one motor-vehicle were seized. The number of illegal immigrants in- creased substantially during the period from November 1967 to March 1968.

153. During June to August 1967 when ferry companies were affected by a strike and attempts were being made by the Hong Kong Seamens Union and the Stevedores Union to paralyze shipping activities, it was necessary to increase the police presence in the Harbour. This was done by increasing beat coverage with launches diverted from outer screen patrols and with additional launches borrowed from other Government departments and manned by Marine Police.

154. During the year the Marine Police assisted in rescue operations at the scene of two aircraft crashes which occurred on 30th June and 5th November, 1967.

155. Although in-service training during the year was severely interrupted because of the disturbances, some training courses were held and seven Inspectors qualified in the Special Certificate of Naviga- tion, twelve N.C.O.s qualified in the First-class Certificate of Navigation, and fifteen Constables qualified in the Third-class Certificate of Navigation. In addition, forty-five newly-joined Constables received initial seamanship training and thirty-nine launch mechanics received initial engineering training.

VILLAGE PENETRATION PATROL UNIT

156. The Unit moved its Headquarters on 1st December 1967, from Sha Tau Kok Police Station to Plover Cove Police Station. At the same time its strength was increased to a total of thirteen sections, com- prising one Inspector, four Sergeants, eleven Corporals and forty-one

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