ENG-1978 — Page 166

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PUBLIC ORDER

A total of 21,533 persons were arrested, compared with 21,839 in 1977. The number of adult prosecutions decreased by 1.1 per cent to 19,936, and juvenile prosecutions (under 16 years) by 5.2 per cent to 1,597.

Triad-type Crime

The anti-triad structure was adjusted during the year to 455 officers. Of these, 90 are attached to the Triad Society Bureau while the remainder operate from district head- quarters and police stations and augment regular Criminal Investigation Department and Uniform Branch officers in the fight against triads and crime.

The Triad Society Bureau concentrates on high-level triad personalities and taking offensive action against organised gangs operating territory-wide. The district and divisional units concentrate on triad and organised criminal activity within their boundaries. During the year, 1,763 people were arrested for triad-related offences.

Owing to the effects of the new gambling laws introduced in February, 1977, and vigorous enforcement efforts, the scale of illegal gambling, particularly casino gam- bling and off-course bookmaking, was considerably reduced in comparison with previous years. Anti-gambling operations resulted in the arrest of 13,861 people and the seizure of $1,517,000.

Sustained police action against vice establishments forced many out of business. Those that remained adopted a low profile and operated under the guise of legitimate business. There were 3,078 people charged with prostitution and related offences.

Special Crimes Bureau

The Special Crimes Bureau is responsible for crimes categorised as 'special' by nature of the high value of the property stolen (in excess of $250,000) or the brutality or ingenuity of the criminals. This includes unusual or spectacular crimes distinguished from the ordinary by special factors such as the use of firearms and/or explosives.

During 1978, the bureau undertook 299 investigations resulting in 44 persons being charged with a total of 45 various offences. The unit seized five firearms, nine modified firearms and recovered cash totalling $2,153,915.

One case of particular significance was a cash-in-transit holdup in which three men hijacked a security van outside the Chartered Bank, Queen's Road, Central District, escaping with $2 million. As a result of relentless efforts, four people were arrested and more than 50 per cent of the money was recovered. One .38 revolver and six rounds of ammunition were also recovered.

The bureau has an index of information on crimes, personalities and modus operandi, and keeps a particular watch on the activities of the Mainland China gang known as 'Dai Huen Chais'. These criminals are ruthless and prone to the use of firearms. Special operations have been mounted, all code-named, resulting from information gathered by Special Crime Bureau personnel with the aim of identifying personalities who may be planning to commit, or have committed, serious crimes.

Homicide Bureau

Established in 1974 to investigate homicide cases requiring lengthy and complex en- quiries, the Homicide Bureau has built up a high degree of expertise and profession- alism and has scored many noticeable successes. The bureau is now at full strength