ENG-1990 — Page 304

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PUBLIC ORDER

THE Hong Kong Government gives high priority to the fight against crime and the maintenance of public order. The Fight Crime Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, provides valuable advice and puts forward recommendations on areas of public concern and on measures to improve the maintenance of law and order.

The Royal Hong Kong Police Force has operational responsibility for crime prevention and detection, the maintenance of public order and, in December 1990, began to resume responsibility for the detection of illegal immigrants on the border.

The Immigration Department, through its control of the entry and exit points and activities directed at discovering illegal immigrants, contributes significantly to the main- tenance of law and order.

In anti-narcotics operations the police maintain close liaison with the Customs and Excise Department. The latter also maintains links with overseas customs authorities, and plays a major part in combatting smuggling and enforcing the Copyright Ordinance.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption enforces the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and promotes greater community awareness of the evils of corruption.

The Correctional Services Department administers the penal system and runs correc- tional and rehabilitative programmes. The department manages closed centres and deten- tion centres for Vietnamese refugees and boat people. One closed centre for Vietnamese boat people is now run by a non-government agency.

The Fire Services Department gives advice on fire protection and provides fire-fighting and rescue services. It also operates the major ambulance service.

Fight Crime Committee

In 1990, the Fight Crime Committee continued to provide advice on measures to combat crime. Specific subjects considered included measures to counter organised crime and triads, crime involving juvenile and young offenders, statutory post-release supervision for adult offenders, regulation of the security industry and efforts to call upon public co-operation by reporting crime, preventing crime and proving crime.

The committee continued to act on the recommendations contained in the discussion document Options for Changes in the Law and in the Administration of the Law to Counter the Triad Problem. The Triad Renunciation Scheme was launched on December 8, 1988, and from its inception up to the end of 1990, a total of 951 applications were received, of which 544 genuine triad members have successfully renounced their triad membership. The

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