ENG-1990 — Page 309

PUBLIC ORDER

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The continuation of a phased police response to intruder alarm activations has resulted in improved standards within the security industry and considerable savings in police man-hours. Officers of the bureau's Intruder Alarm Inspection Unit supervised this scheme and additionally attended 60 scenes of crime involving the criminal by-pass of alarm installations. In October, legislation was introduced to reduce noise pollution caused by the activation of audible alarm systems by making automatic cut-off units obligatory.

The bureau continues to promote public awareness of crime prevention measures through publicity campaigns, seminars, exhibitions and inspection of premises at risk. To this end, close liaison is maintained with both the Police Public Relations Branch and the Information Services Department, in addition to the District Fight Crime Committees and a wide range of private organisations which share the bureau's commitment to a reduction in preventable crime.

Crime Information

The Police Operational Nominal Index System, which is maintained and operated by the Criminal Records Bureau, provided back-up to police front-line formations and handled some 8 000 enquiries each day. The system is to be replaced by an enhanced system in February 1991.

The Identification Bureau continued to provide important services in relation to fingerprint technology and forensic photography. Over 180 000 records from scenes of crime have been converted into a computer system planned to be fully operational in 1991.

By the end of 1990, the Main Fingerprint Collection consists of 710 635 sets of fingerprints of convicted persons. During the year, 95 160 arrested persons' fingerprints were processed and 33 154 persons identified as having previous convictions.

The Scenes of Crime Section is responsible for the identification of persons in connection with crimes through finger, palm and sole print traces found at scenes of crime. In 1990, the section attended 28 160 crime scenes, resulting in 606 persons being identified as having connection with 684 cases.

The Certificate of No Criminal Conviction Section processed 69 275 applications, and the Photographic Section produced 121 290 monochrome photographs and 852 636 colour prints and slides.

Ballistics and Firearms Identification

Officers of the Ballistics and Firearms Identification Bureau handled 376 cases compared with 296 in 1989.

The year was notable for the increasing use of high-powered military pistols, of which 55 were seized amongst a total seizure of 72 commercially-manufactured firearms. During the same period, 22 home-made firearms were also seized. In 1989, 93 commercially- manufactured and 20 home-made firearms were seized.

Tests and evaluation of a range of bullet-resistant vests were also conducted and satisfactorily concluded with a view to upgrading the existing bullet-stopping capability.

Interpol

The International Criminal Police Organisation, more commonly known as Interpol, was established in 1914 and has police forces from 150 countries as members. Hong Kong Interpol joined as a sub-bureau of the United Kingdom in September 1960.