ENG-1952 — Page 162

HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT, 1952

The riots on March 1st, mentioned earlier in this report, necessitated the use of emergency forces and similar measures were required on October 10th, the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Republic, when there were minor political disorders.

The 71 aircraft which had lain at Kai Tak Airport for ever two years, pending the result of a legal dispute as to ownership, required adequate surveillance until they were removed at the end of the year when the case was finally settled. The visit, in October, of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and her son the Duke of Kent was necessarily a period of constant vigilance.

Strength

At the end of the year the strength of the Force was 5,022, an increase of over 500 during the year. The composition of the Force was 38 Gazetted Officers and 436 Inspectors of different grades, of whom 286 were expatriate. In the rank and file there were 675 Northern Chinese, 212 Pakistanis and 450 Hakkas; the remainder were Cantonese. There were 30 uniform- ed women in the Force of whom one was an Inspector. The Force was relieved of all but strictly Police duties by a civilian staff of 775.

Duties

In addition to its normal duties of watch and ward and the prevention and detection of crime, the Force was responsible for the control and operation of the Immigration Department, all licensing in connexion with vehicles, and a number of other extraneous duties.

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