ENG-1992 — Page 302

PUBLIC ORDER

Public Order

There was no incident of major public disorder in Hong Kong during 1992.

The Police Tactical Unit (PTU) Companies were, however, again heavily committed to assisting in anti-crime patrols and a wide variety of operations.

In October, the formation of the fourth Field Patrol Detachment (FPD) Company completed the police resumption of border duties from the Army. In the year, a total of 2 210 officers of varying ranks were trained in internal security measures and FPD tactics.

Routine training of District Internal Security (IS) Units continued throughout the year. In addition, public order training for women police commenced in July, with the formation of a women's IS Company. For the first time, CID officers also attended PTU to receive instruction on tactics in dealing with armed suspects.

Illegal Immigration

During 1992, a total of 35 645 illegal immigrants was arrested by the Security Forces. This represented a 40 per cent increase over 1991. There was a particular increase in the numbers arriving by sea, with 42.9 per cent compared to 39.4 per cent in 1991.

A total of 32.6 per cent of those arrested had made previous illegal visits to the territory. Good prospects of employment were considered the main attraction. As a result, police action against employers was stepped up, focussing on construction sites, factories, restaurants and other places which provided employment opportunities.

Vietnamese Migrants

All Vietnamese migrants are held in detention centres to await a screening process to establish their refugee status in accordance with the 1951 United Nations Convention. Those classified as economic migrants are kept in detention centres, pending repatriation to Vietnam.

Due to the large influx of over 20 000 in 1991, it was agreed with the Vietnamese authorities that all new arrivals from October 29, 1992 onwards would be screened immediately and those screened out as non-refugees promptly repatriated. This policy effectively curbed the upward trend, and only 12 arrivals were recorded in 1992.

However, the existing population continued to place a strain on both the police force and Hong Kong in terms of financial commitment, manpower and resources. The Shek Kong Detention Centre incident in February 1992, which claimed 24 lives, vividly demonstrated the underlying tension and the potential dangers in managing a community of this nature.

On the positive side, with the implementation of the Orderly Repatriation Programme, the number of Vietnamese volunteering to return home markedly increased. This, together with the small number of arrivals, gave rise to optimism that an end to this tragic problem could soon be in sight.

As of December 31, the total number of Vietnamese migrants stood at 45 387, of which 2600 were accorded refugee status, 27 245 were classified as non-refugees, 1 547 were pending screening and 70 were Vietnamese illegal immigrants from China. Resettlement accounted for 3439, and 421 births were recorded. Two hundred and eighty were repatriated to Vietnam under the Orderly Repatriation Programme. Voluntary repatriation stood at 12 332 and 35 ex-China Vietnamese illegal immigrants from China were returned to China.

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