ENG-1994 — Page 350

PUBLIC ORDER

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Partly as a result of increased cross-border criminal activities, liaison with China has expanded in the past few years. Contacts with Chinese law enforcement organisations have been established at national, provincial and municipal levels, and two Chinese liaison officers have been stationed in Hong Kong since 1993.

Public Order

There were no major incidents affecting Hong Kong's internal security in 1994.

The Police Tactical Unit (PTU) was heavily involved in anti-crime patrols, illegal immigration operations and crowd management throughout the territory during festive occasions. PTU officers also played an important role in maintaining law and order at demonstrations and public gatherings.

The PTU Headquarters at Fanling houses advanced training facilities which were substantially enhanced during the year. A new shooting range complex consisting of a 100-metre outdoor range, a 25-metre indoor range and eight mini-ranges using video wall simulation - was opened, boosting firearms training for PTU officers. Also opened were an assault course, a firearms tactical training tower and a multi-purpose sports ground.

More than 2000 police officers, from the rank of superintendent to constable, were trained in the PTU companies during the year. The PTU was also heavily committed to the continuous training of the District Internal Security Companies. The women's company, consisting of five platoons, also attended three days' training at the PTU. The training, which was in addition to the company's quarterly training at regional level, included working with Black Hawk helicopters.

The Special Duties Unit, the Force's counter-terrorist response unit which is also based at PTU Headquarters, was used on a number of occasions to assist Crime Units against armed gangs. The unit was also involved in rescue work during the severe flooding in the New Territories in July.

Illegal Immigration

Illegal immigration from China continued to be a major problem. During the year, the police arrested 29 536 illegals from China, representing a 16 per cent decrease over 1993. Most were immediately repatriated.

Among those arrested, 59 per cent claimed to have entered the territory by boat and the remainder over land. An increasing number of those coming by land resorted to hiding in trains or cargo vehicles, rather than risk climbing the border fence.

The police continued their responsibility for the border and, on average, deployed over 240 officers each day to counter the influx. The Marine Police had an average deployment of 74 vessels per day at sea to protect the boundary.

About 64 per cent of arrested illegals had entered the territory on previous occasions. There were indications that the majority came in to look for job opportunities. Many returned to the mainland voluntarily after working for several months and remitting money back home.

To counter this trend, the police stepped up action at work premises, prosecuting employers on whose premises illegal immigrant workers were found. The police also moved to stem the increasing number of mainland women found working in vice establishments by prosecuting the women, instead of just deporting them.