ENG-1973 — Page 166

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Public Order

In any community with more than four million people in a relatively small space, a major concern of the government is public order. The Royal Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department and the Prisons Department endeavour to keep up with the latest methods to deal with their problems. Overseas studies are made and visiting experts are consulted in various fields of internal security. Modern equipment is also tested and used by these departments if found suitable to the territory's conditions.

Police

There were no serious threats to the peace and stability of the territory during 1973, and the Royal Hong Kong Police Force was not required to deal with any major civil disturbance.

The prevention and detection of crime continued to involve a large section of the force, with crime increasing as it has in large metropolitan centres elsewhere. More of the offences committed during the year were reported, primarily as a result of an intensive campaign launched during June in part aimed at involving the com- munity in the fight against violent crime. Another factor was the improved reporting facilities at all police stations, and the opening of new stations and prefabricated reporting centres. Police procedures were also modified to make it easier for the public to report crimes.

The campaign involved many different government departments besides the regular police and the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force. The community responded well and, following an initial month-long action phase, the police kept up the pressure on criminals.

There were a number of well-organised bank robberies in which the criminals used fire-arms. On two separate occasions police sergeants were shot and killed while trying to apprehend bank robbers in Kowloon. Ten men and three women were arrested in connection with these cases and charged.

There continued to be a manpower shortage during the year and by its close there were 3,521 vacancies, or a deficit of 22 per cent. A vigorous recruitment drive during July was followed in November by a further successful drive, the full effects of which should be apparent next year.

A successful recruitment campaign for auxiliary police was also held and mem- bership of this force has reached about 7,000. The role of the auxiliary police also changed from that of internal security alone to supporting the regular force in their more normal police duties.