ENG-1997 — Page 349

PUBLIC ORDER

Force and other police organisations. It also maintains close liaison with local consulate officials.

The bureau's Liaison Division maintains contacts with the Mainland police authorities. Close liaison has been kept with Interpol China National Central Bureau in Beijing, the Guangdong Liaison Office, Shenzhen and Zhuhai Liaison Sub-Offices in Guangdong Province and other Mainland law enforcement organisations. Two liaison officers from the China National Central Bureau are attached to Hong Kong. Since 1992, 105 criminal fugitives and 104 stolen vehicles had been returned to Hong Kong from the Mainland.

Since the transfer of sovereignty, the Interpol Division represents the Force as a sub-bureau of the China National Central Bureau, in the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO), better known as Interpol. A Hong Kong Police officer is seconded to the ICPO General Secretariat in Lyon, France to work in one of its specialised groups.

Public Order

During the year, the Police Tactical Unit (PTU) played a major role in crowd management during large-scale public events such as the opening of the Tsing Ma Bridge, the Handover Ceremony and the WB/IMF Annual Meetings. PTU officers also assisted in policing the more-than-usual number of fireworks displays held in 1997 and undertook anti-crime patrols and anti-illegal immigration operations. They helped other Police units maintain law and order at public gatherings, processions and demonstrations.

The Special Duties Unit, the Force's counter-terrorist response unit, was deployed several times during the year to help other units tackle armed gangs and hostage- takers. It was also heavily committed during the visits by various Internationally Protected Persons attending major events.

Illegal Immigration

The number of illegal immigrants (IIs) from China has been declining since 1993 at a yearly rate of approximately 15 per cent. In 1997, 17 819 IIs were arrested, an average of 49 per day, representing a decrease of 23.1 per cent from 23 180 in 1996. The number of IIs arrested for crimes was also declining. The Police arrested 1 043 IIs for various criminal offences in 1997, which represented a decrease of 31 per cent from 1 505 in 1996, and was the lowest since 1992. Despite the downward trend, 2 222 minor IIs were arrested compared with 754 in 1996. Most had surrendered to the Immigration Department arguing that their parents' permanent resident status entitled them to the right of abode in Hong Kong under Article 24 of the Basic Law. This increase was halted with the introduction of legislation in July regulating the legal entry of these minors.

Action against illegal immigration is one of the Force's top priorities. Anticipating a major influx of IIs before and after the transfer of sovereignty, the Force embarked on close and regular liaison with its counterparts in Guangdong Province. Apart from setting up an enhanced intelligence exchange network and increased publicity, a large-scale co-ordinated sea exercise was mounted in May.

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