ENG-1994 — Page 348

PUBLIC ORDER

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use of counterfeit credit cards in Hong Kong are decreasing, against the rising trend worldwide.

Narcotics

The trend for a higher retail price and lower purity of No. 4 heroin continued. By the end of 1994, the purity was 23 per cent and price $463 per gram, compared with a purity of 41.3 per cent and price of $322 per gram in 1993. No. 4 heroin has now replaced the No. 3 variety as the main drug in Hong Kong.

During 1994, a total of 455 kilograms of opiate drugs, comprising opium and No. 4 heroin, was seized, compared with 269.15 kilograms in 1993. There were 15 601 arrests for narcotics offences, compared with 12 600 in 1993.

Enforcement action resulted in 20 heroin manufacturing or cutting centres being neutralised. The territory's first methylamphetamine or 'ice' manufacturing centre was located in early 1994, resulting in the seizure of 22 kilograms of the drug.

Since the introduction of the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance in September 1989, and the establishment of the Financial Investigation Unit, assets totalling $16,671,000 have been confiscated from drug traffickers in the territory. As a result of international co-operation, a further $185,779,500 worth of assets have been seized from local drug traffickers overseas.

-Crime Prevention

The Crime Prevention Bureau continued to promote the principles of crime prevention through public awareness programmes and the provision of professional advice to the community. Emphasis was placed on the significance of measures to prevent crime. The security of high-risk premises, particularly goldsmith shops, was accorded high priority, followed by domestic security and vehicle-related crime.

On enactment of the Security and Guarding Services Ordinance in November, a dedicated police unit was set up to inspect and investigate security companies with a view to improving standards. The development of computer security continued, with the production of more educational programmes and publication of a users' manual.

The bureau has developed concepts in 'designing out' crime in buildings and regularly gives advice to architects and designers on ways to prevent crime. In addition, liaison is maintained with government and corporate bodies. In 1994, reports were prepared for the Hospital Authority, Housing Department and the Hong Kong Association of Banks.

Anti-crime education for juveniles continued through the medium of the 'Robotcop', which was used in more than 200 displays at schools, youth organisations and public exhibitions throughout the year.

Crime Information

The Criminal Records Bureau is the sole repository for criminal records in Hong Kong. It houses complete records on all persons convicted of crime in the territory.

The various records and indices provide details of wanted people, suspected offenders, missing people, stolen property, outstanding warrants and missing vehicles. The bureau also has an Enhanced Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System (EPONICS), which operates round-the-clock to provide immediate enquiry support for all operational officers.