ENG-1997 — Page 340

PUBLIC ORDER

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Duties Unit was deployed to counter any potential threats. Good rapport was built among all parties and the protection service provided was highly regarded.

More than 6 000 local and international media representatives were accredited to cover the Handover Ceremony and Hong Kong became literally the focus of the world. Detailed plans were made to facilitate media coverage without affecting the overall security arrangements. Police worked closely with the Information Services Department to keep the media thoroughly briefed on the security arrangements.

With so many dignitaries and guests attending the various official ceremonies besides the fireworks display over Victoria Harbour and the other celebrations going on round Hong Kong, it was vital to ensure proper traffic and crowd management. Special traffic diversions and transport arrangements were implemented in conjunction with the Transport Department and the Police liaised closely with organisers of public events on safety and crowd management measures.

Police also liaised with organisers of demonstrations to ensure that they were conducted in a peaceful and lawful manner. Designated Demonstration Areas were established near the HKCEC for demonstrators to express their views. More than 10 demonstrations took place during the Handover Ceremony and, on the whole, the demonstrators were peaceful and co-operative.

The two-week security operation for the WB/IMF Annual Meetings was similar to the arrangements for the Handover Ceremony. The general principles of cordon, search, access control, venue security, VIP Protection, media arrangements and traffic management were followed. About 1 550 Police officers were directly involved in the operation. Among the 12 000 delegates there were 22 dignitaries under Police protection. The extent of traffic diversions was reduced as the Annual Meetings were held at the HKCEC only. Fewer media representatives attended, although the number of press events was comparatively larger.

Five groups of demonstrators staged public meetings and public processions near the venue during the meetings. Most of the demonstrators were peaceful.

Crime

Reported crimes in 1997 totalled 67 367, a decrease of 14.8 per cent compared with 79 050 crimes recorded in 1996. The crime rate stood at 1 036 cases per 100 000 of the population, a decrease of 17.3 per cent, compared with 1996. This figure was the lowest in the past 24 years.

Violent crimes, including murder, wounding, serious assault, rape, indecent assault, kidnapping, blackmail, criminal intimidation, robbery and arson, declined to 13 749 cases, compared with 15 191 in 1996. Robbery, wounding and serious assault accounted for some 72.1 per cent of the total number of violent crimes in 1997.

The situation regarding vehicle theft continued to improve. Overall, 2 184 motor vehicles were reported missing in 1997, a drop of 14.7 per cent compared with 1996. The number of robberies involving the use of firearms - both genuine and pistol-like objects was 79, a decrease of 4.8 per cent compared with 1996.

In all, 34 593 crimes or 51.4 per cent of the total were detected, with 41 714 people arrested for various criminal offences. Of those arrested, 5 964 were juvenile offenders (aged between seven and 15 years) and 6 855 were young persons (16 to 20).