ENG-1953 — Page 157

Police

JUSTICE, POLICE, PRISONS AND RECORDS

Law and order throughout the Colony is maintained by the Police who turned out in force twice during the year. The first occasion was for the Coronation celebrations and the second for the large fire on the mainland which occurred on Christmas night.

The Coronation celebrations, of which the main feature was a mile-long procession through the urban areas, were two days of duty for the whole Force. Crowd control was the main problem and strained resources to the utmost, but the crowds were orderly and the whole programme was carried through satisfactorily.

On Christmas night, a disastrous fire broke out in the densely populated squatter area on the fringe of New Kowloon. Fortunately, only two lives were lost but approximately 59,000 persons were rendered homeless. It was the worst fire disaster in the history of the Colony.

Strength. At the end of the year the strength of the Force was 5,194, an increase of 172 during the year. It consisted of 42 Gazetted Officers and 432 Inspectors of different grades, of whom 280 were expatriate. In the rank and file there were 581 Northern Chinese, 184 Pakistanis and 3,922 Cantonese, There were two women Inspectors and 31 women N.C.Os and Constables. The Force was relieved of all but strictly police duties by a civilian staff of 827.

Organization. This consists of a Headquarters and two main branches, the Uniform Branch and the Criminal Investi- gation Department. The Uniform Branch operates throughout the Colony and is divided into two territorial divisions and the divisions dealing with traffic, transport and communications. The Marine Division is responsible for the policing of the harbour and the waters of the Colony. It has a fleet of twenty

125