Maternal instinct: WPCs Sarah Chan and Leung Wing-yee with their 'undercover' garb

Surveillance and intelligence is not always enough to nab elusive, serial offenders. Sometimes you need another important tool - bait.

Woman Police Constable Sarah Chan Yuk-fan was attached to Wong Tai Sin District Crime Squad Team Two in May last year when a mysterious youngster started attacking pregnant women in the area. Nearly nine months into her pregnancy, WPC Chan, like other mothers-to-be, was horrified she might be the next victim.

"Netting the attacker as soon as possible was more than a duty, it was of paramount importance to me and my baby," she said.

After maternity leave, Sarah was transferred to WTS Divisional Investigation Team Three to help locate and arrest the secondary school student, and was an obvious choice for an undercover operation. She also lent maternity dresses to other undercover 'regnant' officers and advised on the posture and walk of expectant mothers. Their efforts paid off with the youngster's arrest around Christmas.

"This second pregnancy' was wonderful, but of course I was embarrassed as colleagues not knowing about the operation kept staring and asking about my bulging post-birth tummy," she quipped.

WPC Leung Wing-yee of WTS DCS Team Two, who also took part in the operation, said: "We were puzzled by the young offender's senseless violence. I can only guess it might have been something to do with his psyche and I hope professional counselling can help him."

WTS District Councillors presented souvenirs to the two WPCs and other officers on January 13, complimenting their top efforts.

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