ENG-1994 — Page 353

PUBLIC ORDER

recently opened Tian Tan Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery in the south has also changed the once quiet, rural aspect of the island.

The Marine Police play an important role in combating illegal immigration from China. In 1994, they apprehended 2 369 people trying to sneak in by sea, a decrease of 14.9 per cent compared with 1993. The number of successful arrivals attributed to sea-crossers stood at 44.7 per cent of the total number of illegal immigrants arrested by the police. The majority of arrivals originated from Haifeng, Taishan and Puning counties in China. Mirs Bay and Deep Bay remain the most popular crossing points. Economic incentives and family reunion continued to be the major motivating factors behind illegal immigration.

During 1994, a total of 363 Vietnamese migrants arrived in the territory by sea on 32 vessels. Of these, 141 elected to have their vessels refuelled and reprovisioned, and to move onward.

Bomb Disposal

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau rendered safe over 7 426 explosive devices during the year. These ranged from improvised bombs made by criminals, to pyrotechnics, unexploded shells and bombs left over from World War II.

The Bureau continued to upgrade its equipment and took delivery of a new type of mini- bomb disposal robot, allowing bomb disposal officers to deal more safely with bombs in confined areas.

Community Relations

Both the Good Citizen Award Scheme and the Good Citizen of the Year Award Scheme continued to enlist public support in the fight against crime. The schemes are jointly administered by the police and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. In 1994, 81 civic-minded citizens were commended for their contributions to the fight against crime.

The police hotline, 2527 7177, is one of the most favoured avenues for the public to furnish crime information. In 1994, the 6 940 calls received resulted in 754 people being arrested for various crimes.

Crime information forms provided another easy method for the public to report crime. Altogether, 2 318 completed forms were received, resulting in 469 arrests.

One of the most successful bridges between the police and the community has been the youth organisation Junior Police Call (JPC), set up 20 years ago.

At the end of 1994, the JPC had 173 564 active members. The JPC helps to guide its members towards becoming responsible and law-abiding citizens. Apart from participation in fight crime activities and crime prevention campaigns, members are provided with a wide range of sports, recreational and educational programmes, organised with a view to fostering a positive attitude towards a healthy life. In conjunction with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), the Force produces a weekly JPC television programme and a radio programme Voice of JPC, which provide good fora for the co-ordination and promotion of youth activities.

The Force also jointly produces, with RTHK, three television magazines: Crime Watch, Police Call and Police Report. These programmes, broadcast in both English and Cantonese, are used to appeal for information on undetected crimes and provide advice on crime prevention. Special features on current crime trends, as well as the various facets of

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