ENG-1987 — Page 261

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PUBLIC ORDER

Crime Prevention Consideration is being given to the introduction of legislation to reduce both the environmental impact of intruder alarms and the number of systems which repeatedly cause false alarms. Following intensive training, a small unit is now operating within the Crime Prevention Bureau to provide the public with professional and technical advice relating to alarm systems. Consideration is also being given, in consultation with the Security Association of Hong Kong, to introducing legislation to govern various aspects of the security industry.

Crime Information

The Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System, which is maintained and operated by the Criminal Records Bureau, continued to be effective, with about 9 000 enquiries being handled each day.

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The Identification Bureau specialises in fingerprint technology and forensic photo- graphy. Staff of the Scenes of Crime Section attended 24 733 crimes scenes to examine fingerprints, resulting in 586 persons being identified as having connection with 650 cases. The Advanced Technology Unit, which began operation at the end of 1986, handled 196 cases.

The main fingerprint collection contains 596 654 sets. During the year, 71 297 arrest fingerprints were processed and, from these, 37 519 people were identified as having previous convictions. The section also carried out searches on 78 625 sets of fingerprints for vetting purposes.

The Certificate of No Criminal Conviction Section received 53 471 applications for certificates.

The Photographic Section produced 588 466 black and white photographs and 244 910 colour slides and photographs.

Public Order and Internal Security

There were no major incidents affecting Hong Kong's internal security during the year. Officers of the Police Tactical Unit continued to play an important role in maintaining order at major public functions. In May, they shared - with the Coldstream Guards and the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) the honour of mounting guard at Government House during the visit of Princess Margaret.

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During the year, 1900 officers from the rank of constable to superintendent received training in internal security tactics and methods of crowd control at the Police Tactical Unit base in the New Territories.

Illegal Immigration

Illegal immigration continued to be one of the most serious problems facing the security forces. An average of 780 police officers were deployed daily to counter all forms of illegal immigration, including the detection and apprehension of persons who have evaded security surveillance. A total of 4 298 such evaders were apprehended during the year. This compared with 22 455 illegal immigrants arrested while attempting entry to Hong Kong.

A change of policy in April, under which all minor illegal immigrants were to receive the same treatment as adult illegal immigrants, effectively curtailed child smuggling.

Specific action was taken against those employing illegal immigrants, as a result of which 171 persons were prosecuted. In addition 347 persons were prosecuted for bringing illegal immigrants into Hong Kong.