ENG-1982 — Page 190

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PUBLIC ORDER

Throughout the year action was maintained against those involved in the production of forged identity cards which were in continuous demand by illegal immigrants. This resulted in the neutralisation of one syndicate with a number of others still under investigation.

Close co-operation was maintained with law enforcement agencies worldwide in the suppression of counterfeiting currency. Action in this area of crime caused the neutralisation of three syndicates.

Continued pressure was exerted on those involved in illicit commodity trading. Amend- ments during the year to the Commodities Trading Ordinance, which significantly increased penalties, acted as a deterrent to people contemplating illegal activity in this area.

Narcotics

Another bumper crop of opium in the Golden Triangle in 1982 resulted in an unprecedented upsurge of drug trafficking activity in Southeast Asia. A total of 254 kilograms of heroin base was seized in Hong Kong during the year.

The retail price of No. 3 heroin continued to drop, falling by 29 per cent. Attendances at the methadone treatment clinics for drug addicts, which in March registered the highest attendance rate since their inception, gradually declined in the ensuing nine months. On the brighter side, it is encouraging to find that publicity aimed at preventing the involvement of young people in dangerous drugs has been successful.

The abuse of psychotropic substances, though not a serious problem, is on the increase. During the year, the record number of seizures of both cannabis and methaqualone indicated a growing popularity of such drugs in Hong Kong.

Interpol

Hong Kong continued to play an active part in the activities of the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO Interpol) which has its headquarters in St Cloud, near Paris, France.

The Hong Kong Interpol Bureau operates within the Criminal Investigation Department and works closely with police forces in 135 countries. The bureau has its own small investigation unit and also deals with extradition matters to and from Hong Kong.

Crime Prevention

In the course of the year the Crime Prevention Bureau increased the number of visits to commercial and private premises to give advice on security measures. In addition, several publicity campaigns were launched to make the public more aware of measures to safeguard their property. The bureau's permanent exhibition of crime prevention equipment continued to be popular, attracting a large number of visitors.

Illegal Immigration

The dramatic fall which followed the abolition of the 'reached-base' immigration policy in October 1980 was maintained in 1982, which saw a total of 8 680 illegal immigrants repatriated against the 1981 total of 7 556. While showing a very significant decrease over the 1980 repatriation figure of 82 125, the figures nevertheless indicate that substantial numbers still wish to come to Hong Kong and it was therefore necessary for the police force and the military services to maintain constant vigilance to counter the problem.

A disturbing trend which emerged in late 1981 was the smuggling of children from China into Hong Kong to join relatives here. Legislation was introduction to cover a legal