ENG-1996 — Page 356

PUBLIC ORDER

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There has been enhanced liaison and co-operation between Hong Kong and China. Two liaison officers of Interpol China have been attached to Hong Kong since 1993 and their presence in the territory has proved to be most constructive. Apart from this, contacts with Chinese law enforcement organisations have been established at the National Central Bureau in Beijing, the Guangdong Liaison Office, Shenzhen and Zhuhai Liaison Sub-Offices in Guangdong Province.

As a result of the expanded liaison with China, co-operation between both sides has continued to develop. The Chinese police have returned a total of 90 criminal fugitives to Hong Kong since 1992 and 57 stolen luxury vehicles have been returned to the territory in the same period.

Public Order

No major incidents affected Hong Kong's internal security in 1996. The Police Tactical Unit (PTU) provided much support to the Correctional Services Department in Vietnamese Migrants (VM) Centres with regard to the Orderly Repatriation Programme. Two serious riots in VM Centres required PTU personnel to restore law and order. The PTU was also committed to anti-crime patrols, illegal immigration operations and crowd management during festive occasions. It played an important role in maintaining law and order at demonstrations and public gatherings.

The structure of PTU companies underwent two major changes during the year. The first was the revision of the platoon structure, with the addition of a sergeant post in each column. This has brought about a better command structure and more flexibility in the deployment of manpower. The second was the introduction of female police officers into regular PTU companies. Female police inspectors commenced training as platoon commanders alongside their male counterparts in August.

More than 2 000 police officers, from the rank of superintendent to constable, were trained in the PTU companies during the year. The PTU is also responsible for the continuation training of the District Internal Security Companies. This training focused on crowd management and the companies' support role in the overall internal security structure of the Force.

The Special Duties Unit, the Force's counter-terrorist response unit which is also based at PTU Headquarters, was used on several occasions to assist crime units. against armed gangs.

Illegal Immigration

Despite the downward trend of illegal immigrants entering Hong Kong in recent years, enforcement action against illegal immigrants remained one of the Force's top priorities. In 1996, 23 180 illegal immigrants were arrested, representing a decrease of 13.6 per cent from 1995. Most of the illegal immigrants originated from Guangdong Province, but there was an increasing trend of illegal immigrants coming from the northern provinces of China. Among those arrested, 50.8 per cent entered Hong Kong by sea and the remainder by land. Hiding underneath the chassis of containers or goods vehicles was a popular method of entry at border control points while climbing over the border fence became less popular.

The Force is responsible for the security of both the land and sea border. In 1996, a daily average of 1058 officers and 59 vessels were deployed to counter illegal immigrants. Most of the illegal immigrants arrested were repatriated to China but a