ENG-1998 — Page 357

PUBLIC ORDER

moving offences fell by 9.2 per cent compared with 1997. Police and traffic wardens issued 1 206 000 tickets for parking offences during the year, representing a decrease of 22.8 per cent.

Police Licensing Office

The Commissioner of Police, through the Licensing Office, is the licensing authority for a variety of licences and permits. As the Societies Officer, he is also responsible for the registration/exemption from registration of the establishment of local societies.

In 1998, 1 130 societies applied for registration and 15 applied for exemption from registration. In all, 1 903 societies were dissolved, 9 720 registered and 18 exempted from registration.

Since a replacement exercise began in May 1997, Watchman's Permit holders have been notified in phases to apply for Security Personnel Permits under the Security and Guarding Services Ordinance. During the year, 21 726 Watchman's Permit holders born between 1957 and 1966 were notified. In 1998, 38 395 new Security Personnel Permit applications were received and 39 571 permits issued.

In all, 2215 arms licences and permits were issued in 1998. The Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Bill 1999 was due to be introduced into the Legislative Council on January 27, 1999, to update and tighten the legislation regulating the possession and use of arms and ammunition for recreational and sporting purposes.

Marine Police

Strengthened co-operation with the authorities in Guangdong Province has reduced the number of IIs arrested while attempting to enter Hong Kong by sea. In 1998 these numbered 834 compared with 1 010 arrested in 1997. In all, 182 Vietnamese arriving by sea were intercepted and 122 of them chose to continue their journey.

The number of cases involving smuggling of petrol and diesel oil has increased. 443 persons were arrested and 3 317 000 litres with a value of $12,534,969 were seized, compared with 27 arrests involving 246 531 litres valued at $1,350,240 in 1997.

As part of the continuing close liaison between Marine Region and the Guangdong Border Defence Bureau, two exchange visits took place during the year. The first was in June when 180 Mainland officers arrived by sea at the Marine Region Headquarters. The second visit took place in September when a delegation of 140 Hong Kong police officers sailed up the Pearl River on board three police patrol vessels to visit the First Brigade Headquarters in Huangpu.

During the year, the region took delivery of the first of five high speed vessels, specially designed and built to replace the Anti-Smuggling Task Force tai feis (speed boats). Planning work for a long-term phased programme to replace 35 large patrol launches has begun.

Marine Region continued to assist other government departments and non- government organisations in a wide range of activities, including protection of the marine environment, curbing pollution, safety at sea and provision of search and rescue services in the SAR waters.

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