Regional Commanders' Report
Meeting the Challenges of the Modern World
In 2012, the Regions' core focus on serving the people of Hong Kong with pride and care continued to be reflected in rising standards of professionalism to meet the challenges of the modern world and in deepening community engagement. Operationally, various intelligence-led initiatives based on a multi-agency approach were launched to fight crimes, involving different sectors of the community, Government and non-governmental agencies. These measures were underpinned by a series of educational programmes and publicity campaigns to enhance public awareness of crime prevention and road safety. Coordinated measures were also taken to mitigate the impact of key infrastructural projects on the road network and on local communities.
Marine Region
Following the implementation of the Versatile Maritime Policing Response, the Region embarked on a major review of its existing fleet of 122 craft to enhance the cost-effective policing of Hong Kong waters. The Region is also in the process of upgrading the night vision capabilities of the fleet by connecting modern Electro Optical Sensors to the radar systems of launches.
Combating illegal immigration continued to be a core focus, resulting in the arrest of 763 illegal immigrants in the waters of Hong Kong. The Region also continued to target syndicated smuggling at sea, in particular activities involving smuggling of high-value contraband. During the year, 27 high-powered speedboats were confiscated and contraband worth $65.8 million was seized.
The Region, together with other Government departments, was heavily involved in the rescue operation and subsequent investigation of the tragic vessel collision that occurred off Lamma Island in October. During the year, Marine Police officers rescued 143 persons at sea. The Region continues to work in partnership with other Government departments and stakeholders to enhance public awareness of safety at sea.
Various new initiatives, such as the Sea Safety Guarding Angels and Neighbourhood Partnership schemes launched by the Outer Waters District, have proved effective in promoting awareness of sea safety and preventing crimes at sea.
In order to enhance the readiness of Marine Police officers to respond to major incidents or disasters, the Region participated in an air crash exercise at the Hong Kong International Airport, as well as an interdepartmental hazardous and noxious spill response exercise, and Exercise Checkerboard to test the Daya Bay Contingency Plan.
Members of the Sea Safety Guarding Angels distribute leaflets to members of the public.
Marine Police in collaboration with other Government departments and organisations conduct a joint fire drill.
Marine Police organise a seminar to combat quick cash crime.
Hong Kong Island Region
Responding to emergencies, anti-crime patrolling and managing public order events are just some of the ways that Hong Kong Island Region serves its residents and working population. At the heart of these activities are embedded professional policing strategies that are based on strong partnerships with the community as a whole. The result of these partnerships is that the Region continues to be considered safe, stable and secure.
In 2012, facilitation and management of public order events remained a high priority for the Region. Considerable policing resources were deployed at more than 4 000 events to safeguard public order and safety. The greatest challenge for the Region was the policing required for the events held in connection with the 15th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR and the visit to Hong Kong of President Hu Jintao.
The crime situation in the Region remained stable. As compared to 2011, a decrease of 3 per cent in overall crime reports was recorded, with a 0.4 per cent decrease in violent crime and a 3 per cent decrease in narcotics related crimes. Only triad related crimes registered an increase by 2.3 per cent. The Region regularly reviews its anti-crime strategies to ensure that they are correctly focused for maximum impact and proactively respond to the prevailing crime trends.
Reflecting the Region's multi-agency and community-based approach, Police officers implemented a series of crime prevention initiatives such as Project Back Alley, Operation MOCKPLAYER, and Caring Student Programme to target serious crimes, late night violence, miscellaneous thefts and youth related offences. A wide range of publicity campaigns and educational programmes such as the Vision 360° and Pedestrian Safety Education Day were also launched within the Region to strengthen public awareness of crime prevention and road safety.
The Region proactively engages the local and non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) communities in order to foster closer community relationships and enhance mutual understanding at all levels. In 2012, enhanced training on various cultural and NEC related issues was provided to frontline officers to raise the level of their professionalism in community sensitive situations.
Central District and the Central District Junior Police Call Honorary Presidents' Council jointly organise the 23rd Anti-drug Shield Central District Waterfront Fight Crime Run Carnival to disseminate anti-drug messages to teenagers.
The Regional Crime Prevention Office of Hong Kong Island launches a crime prevention campaign to raise public awareness of safeguarding personal property; and preventing pickpocketing and miscellaneous thefts.
A Police officer promotes the ‘If you drink, don't drive' message to members of the public.
Eastern District teams up with schools, Government departments and non-governmental organisations to organise a family cooking contest in a bid to encourage NEC to participate in community activities.
Kowloon West Region
Kowloon West Region saw a slight increase of 0.5 per cent in overall crime in 2012, which was mainly led by proactive enforcement against dangerous drugs and vice activities. On the other hand, major crimes including violent crime and quick cash crime visibly dropped.
About 34 per cent of the territory's liquor licensed premises and almost 50 per cent of the territory's upstairs bars are located in Kowloon West Region. This intensive cluster of entertainment venues brings policing challenges of a unique nature to the Region.
In 2012, various anti-crime operations were launched including Operations PORTBELL and LEVINGTON to combat triad elements; NEWSBROWSER and RETRIEVER to tackle youth drug problems at liquor licensed premises and upstairs bars; and UPPERRUN and NEEDLESHARP to monitor vice activities.
The Region is particularly aware of the necessity of community engagement in order to make policing a success in the area. During the year, specific projects such as Shopkeepers Charter, Operation QUICKFLYER and the Fight Crime Veteran Scheme were introduced to enlist the support of shopkeepers, owners' incorporations, building management and senior citizens to fight against crime. Educational programmes initiated by the Region to combat youth crime included the Stand by You Scheme, JPC Leader Corps and Operation BITTERWOOD.
Community partnership remained a high priority in regard to NEC related crimes. In 2012, the Region continued to engage NEC communities and strengthen mutual understanding between them and the Police to prevent and fight such crime.
In 2012, the total number of notified public meetings and processions held in the Region increased by 14.5 per cent as compared to 2011. To ensure that these public order events were properly managed, the Region continued to adopt the guiding principle of minimum police presence and sufficient contingent capability.
Tackling traffic congestion, preventing traffic accidents and mitigating the impact caused by the construction of a number of major infrastructure projects remain major challenges for the Region. In 2012, in collaboration with stakeholders, the Region adopted coordinated measures to keep construction traffic away from public roads, promote cross-project use of facilities, and advocate the use of technology to carefully monitor traffic situations.
The Road Safety Team of Traffic Kowloon West adopts a multi-agency approach to promote road safety.
Over 600 Chinese and NEC students participate in the Say No to Drugs publicity campaign organised by Yau Tsim District.
A football match to promote racial harmony organised by Junior Police Call of West Kowloon Region aims at strengthening the communication and mutual trust between NEC residents and the Police.
A promotional event aims at making school children carers more aware of road safety.
New Territories North Region
In 2012, the overall crime situation in the Region remained stable. As a result of a number of intelligence-led operations, triad, violent and narcotics crimes recorded a decrease.
Community engagement is one of the major policing strategies of the Region. During the year, Yuen Long District launched Project Connect to further promote the involvement of NECs in the community. The project appointed cultural ambassadors from various NEC groups to work with Police volunteers to organise language courses with a view to enhancing communication and mutual cooperation. Youths as well as senior citizens in the Region were recruited as crime prevention ambassadors to assist in anti-drug and anti-deception publicity campaigns. Following the partial opening of the Frontier Closed Area in Lok Ma Chau and Sha Tau Kok in February, the Region ensured public safety in these areas through effective crowd and traffic management measures while maintaining stringent controls against illegal immigration and other cross-boundary crimes. Obstruction and public nuisance in the vicinity of Sheung Shui MTR Station and its nearby industrial area were contained through the adoption of multi-agency initiatives against general merchandise operators.
Following the partial opening of the Frontier Closed Area in Sha Tau Kok, the New Territories North maintains close liaison with Mainland authorities in regard to cross-boundary security, traffic and crowd management issues.
Tuen Mun District Fight Crime Elderly Ambassadors actively promote crime prevention messages.
An officer of Traffic New Territories North conveys the safe cycling message to youngsters.
Tai Po District Crime Prevention Ambassadors visit New Territories North Regional Crime Prevention Office.
A football match between Yuen Long District and a team of African players enhances racial harmony.
Kowloon East Region
Overall crime in Kowloon East Region increased by 5.7 per cent in 2012. However, there was a decrease in several key crimes, including triad related crime, arson, robbery, theft from construction site, pickpocketing and taking conveyance without authority.
The Region continued to adopt a multi-agency approach to address potential policing problems associated with the Kai Tak Development Project. Regular meetings with the relevant Government departments and site contractors were held, intelligence-led operations were mounted and crime prevention visits were conducted. As a result of these concerted efforts, the crime situation at the project was well contained.
Hong Kong's railway network is rapidly expanding and offering a growing number of policing challenges. In 2012, the Railway District launched several new crime prevention initiatives that focused on involving the community such as Project Eyes and Ears, Little Smart Cop and Senior Smart Cop.
Traffic Kowloon East together with District Councils, schools and non-governmental organisations continued to promote safe cycling programme with a view to raising public awareness of cycling safety in the Region. The Region's Road Safety Team in conjunction with franchised bus companies' safety ambassadors distributed road safety leaflets to the elderly and offered them safety advice on riding buses.
Police officers introduce the work of the Police Dog Unit to students at Sai Kung Divisional Police Station Open Day.
Traffic Kowloon East holds a seminar to enhance road safety awareness among NEC students.
New Territories South Region
In 2012, New Territories South Region recorded a 4 per cent drop in overall reported crime with a significant reduction in rape and indecent assaults, quick cash crimes and dangerous drug offences. The Region continued to adopt an integrated approach alongside intelligence-led policing, which proved an effective strategy in tackling triad and debt collection related activities.
During the year, several notable initiatives were successfully launched including projects Silver Hawk, Silver Falcon, Silver Harrier and Silver Osprey to raise the crime prevention awareness of senior citizens and to engage them in the communal fight against crime. Meanwhile, Police volunteers continued to participate in Project Sparkle, which aims at reducing drug abuse among youths through life experience sharing and training programmes. Kwai Tsing and Tsuen Wan Districts conducted projects New Leaf and Omnibus respectively to target youth crimes through engagement, education, intelligence-led enforcement action and rehabilitation.
The Region includes key elements of Hong Kong's infrastructure such as the Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Container Port. Therefore, maintaining a safe and smooth strategic road network remains a high priority. In 2012, traffic officers adopted a multi-agency approach to reduce the number of traffic accidents and ensure smooth traffic flow. In addition to taking proactive traffic enforcement, the Region also worked together with local schools and kindergartens to raise the awareness of the younger generation about road safety.
The Emergency Unit of the New Territories South Region organises a training workshop for frontline supervisory officers to enhance their ability to respond to major incidents and disasters.
Joy Ride Lantau Carnival organised by Lantau District aims at raising awareness of safe cycling.