ENG-1976 — Page 168

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PUBLIC ORDER

with its associated thefts (4,470 in 1975); 2,717 cases of drug trafficking (1,621); and 8,479 cases involving preventive crime (7,541).

The increases in these three categories contributed largely to the greater overall number of crimes reported to the police. They totalled 62,009-an increase of 5,489 cases or 9.7 per cent on the 1975 figure. Discounting the increases in the three categories, the remaining overall crime rate fell 3.0 per cent below the level recorded in 1975.

As well as violent crime, other crime categories which decreased included snatch- ing, 541 (638); burglaries, 5,665 (6,368); and taking a conveyance without authority, 1,459 (2,001). Other crimes which increased were sexual offences, 1,552 (1,477); miscel- laneous thefts, 13,167 (9,653); criminal intimidation, 815 (545); frauds, 2,412 (2,098); and criminal damage to property, 1,375 (1,116).

The overall crime detection rate was 59.7 per cent, compared with 49.4 per cent the previous year.

During 1976 a total of 23,485 people were arrested—an increase of 2,227 on the 1975 figure. The number of adults prosecuted increased by 10.6 per cent to 21,918 and prosecutions against juveniles (under 16 years) rose by 9.4 per cent to-1,567.

Triad Type Crime

The strength of the Triad Society Bureau was increased during the year from 108 to 216 police officers and civilian staff. This build-up is aimed at providing adequate intelligence and operational capabilities to counteract gang and thug elements.

In August the bureau produced a detailed report on the scope and scale of activities involving triad type elements. The report-distributed to all police forma- tions-serves as a supplement to a 1974 paper on triad societies in Hong Kong.

In conjunction with police districts and divisions, the bureau continued to take action against triad elements, particularly those engaged in organised crime. There were 3,054 people arrested for triad-related offences. In addition, raids on illegal gambling establishments resulted in the arrest of 42,088 people and the seizure of $1.6 million in cash. A further 4,306 people were charged with prostitution and allied offences.

Special Crime Squad

During the first quarter of the year the Special Crime Squad prepared and presented cases against seven people arrested in connection with the $7.2 million Hang Seng Bank cash-in-transit robbery. The case, heard in the High Court, resulted in five of the accused each being imprisoned for 25 years. Of the remaining two accused, one received a six-year sentence for handling stolen property and the other was acquitted.

In August the strength of the squad was increased to provide an improved intelligence gathering capability and to allow its operation wing to concentrate more fully on bank and goldsmith robberies and on other cases involving the use of fire- arms. In 1976 the squad solved 31 serious crimes, arrested 33 people—against whom 39 charges were preferred-and seized 11 firearms, including imitation firearms.