ENG-1975 — Page 151

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Public Order

PUBLIC order is dependent mainly on the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, but equally important parts are played by the fire and ambulance services, the Prisons Department, the officers who deal with smuggling and illicit drug trafficking, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. All contribute towards maintaining a standard of order which is essential when more than four million people are living together in such a relatively small space.

Police

There was a levelling off in overall crime in 1975 and a slight but factual decrease in key crimes. However the overall crime figure continued to be unacceptably high. A disturbing feature was the increasing sophistication shown in certain crimes and the growing use of firearms and 'pistol-like objects', particularly in robberies.

Measures to counteract violent crime continued to be through recruiting, training and effectively deploying more policemen; improving police techniques, procedures and organisation; and mobilising people in neighbourhoods to help each other and the police in resisting and deterring crime.

The strength of the force was increased by 1,200, including 100 civilians. Civil staff now amount to 16 per cent of the combined force establishment. There was a high intake of cadets from the Police Cadet School. In August, 150 cadets graduated and 133 of them elected to join the force. It is planned to expand the school facilities in order to provide the force with a steady stream of first-rate recruits.

Throughout the visit of the Queen and Prince Philip in May, the force was heavily committed in security duties and in crowd and traffic control. Prince Philip visited the Police Cadet School and saw various aspects of the work of the force as a whole.

A review of the establishment of the force has been set in motion with the aim of ensuring the availability of manpower to meet all anticipated problems. Increasing emphasis is being placed on an active police presence in the community. One of the most effective methods of providing this has been the establishment in public housing estates of neighbourhood police units. There are now 11 of these and the number is to be increased. The public are also being reached through strategically placed and easily accessible police reporting centres and the expansion of the police com- munity relations officer scheme.

The highly successful Junior Police Call organised by the Police Public Relations Bureau provides contact with young people. In its 17 months of existence, membership has grown to 130,000. An inter-related young people's 'Help the Police' competition