ENG-2000 — Page 378

PUBLIC ORDER

UBLIC

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moving offences fell by 1 per cent compared with 1999. Police officers and traffic wardens issued 838 288 tickets for parking offences during the year, a decrease of 6.3 per cent.

Police Licensing Office

Since the enactment of the Security and Guarding Service Ordinance in December 1994 to replace the Watchman Ordinance, and its full operation on June 1, 1996, more than 180 000 Security Personnel Permits have been issued. A Security Personnel Permit is valid for five years. The first round of renewal commenced in July, and it will continue. In order to provide a better and more efficient service to applicants, a new computer system, which supports the processing of Security Personnel Permits, was put into operation in September.

The Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Ordinance 2000 was enacted in March. It tightens the control and safety requirements for the possession and use of arms and ammunition for recreational and sporting purposes. The majority of the amendments have been implemented in 2000, in phases. Among other changes, the amendment ordinance sets a higher standard for arms instructors, management of shooting ranges and control of people who may have access to arms and ammunition. The changes represent a step forward in safeguarding public safety while facilitating legitimate possession of arms and ammunition.

Upon completion of a four-month consultancy study to review the operation of the Massage Establishments Ordinance and related regulatory activities, most of the service improvement recommendations have been implemented. Legislative amendments are scheduled for introduction into the Legislative Council in 2001.

Marine Region

Combating seaborne illegal immigration remained one of Marine Region's priority tasks although the number of IIs has been on a decline when compared with past years. During the year, 390 illegal immigrants, including 46 Vietnamese IIs, were arrested. From September, syndicates were found to be using high-speed sampans to convey female IIs from the Mainland into Hong Kong for the purpose of prostitution. In this connection, the Marine Region arrested 27 female IIs and 10 people aiding and abetting IIs. Six vessels were seized.

A considerable number of Mainland trading vessels (MTVs) have attempted to enter Hong Kong without proper clearance to purchase diesel fuel for smuggling. In countering this illicit activity, the Marine Region refused entry to 3 377 MTVs. During the year, 35 fast moving targets, suspected to be vessels involved in smuggling, were recorded. The total value of goods seized from smugglers amounted to $91.2 million.

Six additional new high-speed inshore patrol craft joined the Marine Police fleet between February and July. In June, a contract was awarded for replacing six Damen MK I patrol launches. A refurbished Command and Control Centre went 'live' in October as part of an ongoing communications replacement project which saw the commissioning of a new digital network.