ENG-1967 — Page 207

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PUBLIC ORDER

Over the past ten years, the daily average prison population has been 5,149 and over the same period accommodation for 2,600 prisoners in fully open conditions has been provided.

The disturbances in the Colony during 1967 had a marked effect on the prison population figures, but, contrary to popular im- pressions, the total prison population sharply decreased during the year (from 6,580 on January 1 to 5,327 on October 1). This was due to the fact that the police were fully engaged in dealing with the disturbances and the numbers arrested for narcotics offences sharply declined. The main burden of work in connection with the disturbances fell on the Reception Centre at Victoria, which was under very heavy pressure with receptions, remands and escorts.

A high proportion of those sentenced as a result of the riots were under 21 and a special educational and vocational training programme was set up for those sentenced to imprisonment.

FIRE SERVICES

The Fire Services Department is divided into four commands- Fire Service Headquarters, Fire Prevention Bureau, Hong Kong Island and Marine Command, and Mainland Command. Hong Kong Island and Marine Command is responsible for five fighting and emergency operations on the island of Hong Kong, the off-shore islands, the harbour and surrounding waters. Mainland Command is similarly responsible for Kowloon, the New Territories and the airport.

Operational demands on the Hong Kong Fire Service increased during the year. Emergency calls rose by 11 per cent, but the greatest increase in work load has fallen on the Fire Prevention Bureau which is statutorily responsible for the enforcement of fire safety regulations throughout the Colony and for advising and assisting all sections of the community in the abatement and elimina- tion of fire hazards. During the year, the bureau, which maintains a round-the-clock service, conducted 46 courses in fire prevention subjects and 4,000 people attended. It also conducted more than 40,000 inspections of premises of all descriptions, assessed and advised on more than 2,000 plans for new buildings, and dealt