ENG-1963 — Page 271

LAW, ORDER AND RECORDS

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identification bureau and criminal records), anti-corruption branch, triad societies bureau, narcotics bureau, commercial crime office and the general investigation section. The units deployed in police districts come within the general control of the respective assistant commissioner in charge.

In recent years well over 100,000 reports of proven offences, of which some 13,000 14,000 were of serious crime, have been received by the police annually. They follow the pattern usually found in any modern community, ranging from murder and serious bodily harm to cases of petty assault, from serious armed robbery or intricate fraud to cases of petty theft. In addition to these crimes, Hong Kong is faced with the more unconventional crimes of drug addiction, corruption, threats of violence and intimidation by triad societies. However, despite the attraction of Hong Kong to all types of criminals, the detection rate remains high, which is in large measure due to the co-operation of the general public. (Criminal statistics are shown at Appendix IX). It is significant that the increase in population during the past few years has not resulted in a corresponding increase in crime.

The CID gives particular attention to the prevention of crime and the rehabilitation of offenders against whom police supervision orders have been issued by the magistrates. A new section estab- lished in January deals exclusively with the guidance of juvenile offenders; its main object is to seek improved parental control rather than following the more drastic step of instituting criminal proceedings. In this task the police are assisted by the Discharged Prisoners Aid Society and other voluntary agencies. The successes of the forensic laboratory, the ballistics office and the identification bureau are in part attributable to the modern and advanced equip- ment provided for their use. In many instances the first tangible lead in the investigation of criminal offences originates in the research and checks made in one or more of these branches and, in some instances, the whole basis of a case rests on evidence secured by scientific and technical examination.

One of Hong Kong's greatest problems is narcotics. Heroin, which can be consumed simply and in small quantities is the most prevalent drug used by local addicts, the great majority of whom are adult males. There is increased evidence that large quantities of heroin are being smuggled into the Colony as well as the raw