ENG-1970 — Page 182

PUBLIC ORDER

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total of 702 cases were disposed of in this manner, and only 28 were subsequently found to have committed further offences. This compared favourably with results achieved in the previous year.

In May 1970, approval was granted for the reorganisation and expansion of the Anti-Corruption Branch. The branch has ceased to be a part of the Criminal Investigation Department, and is now directly responsible to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Opera- tions. The Prevention of Bribery Bill 1970, introducing new meas- ures to combat corruption, was passed by the Legislative Council on December 16.

Publicity concerning the lengthened hours during which the branch's offices are open-was extended to- television. Officers are immediately available 16 hours a day and on call for the other eight hours. Reports are received in confidence anywhere and at any time that is convenient to the informant. These arrangements have resulted in more reports being received from members of the public, in many cases leading to successful prosecutions or dis- ciplinary proceedings.

TRAFFIC

Speeding continued to be one of the predominant causes of traffic accidents. In the past, speed checks were conducted by Traffic Police_by timing a vehicle over a measured distance. This method, however, is now becoming outdated. As a result of considerable research into other means of detecting speed offences two radar speedmeters were obtained and after extensive publicity this new equipment was put into operation on July 15, 1970. By the end of the year 3,889 cases of speeding offences had been detected by use of the radar, and of the cases brought to court 922 were convicted.

As an effective means of preventing private cars being used for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward, the Commissioner for Transport in consultation with police, decided that upon conviction of a driver for such an offence, committed on or after March 1, 1970, the vehicle involved would be deregistered. At the end of the year 651 private cars had been so deregistered.

The introduction of a fixed penalty system for minor traffic offences was under consideration during the year. This system