As the hotel plays host to many Mainland visitors, and in a bid to protect them from theft, deception or "quick cash crimes", Divisional Commander Chan Wing-hong sent officers trained in Putonghua to call at the hotel to hand out anti-crime leaflets to its guests, and advise what and how they should do if they required police assistance.

During this special exercise, officers distributed leaflets to about 3,000 Mainland visitors and handled over 100 enquiries of different natures.

The exercise had received the hotel management's full support and co-operation. Feedbacks showed that apart from serving its purposes, the exercise had gained public relations mileages for the Force.

Quite a few Mainland visitors staying in the hotel were impressed with their first encounter with the police in Hong Kong. One of them, a resident from Hunan on a three-day visit, said he had seen Hong Kong police officers in action on TV programmes, but in reality he found them "energetic and polite", as well as "professional and capable".

Summing up the results of the exercise, Mr Chan said it had given frontline officers an opportunity to practise what they had learned in providing quality services, and to brush up their Putonghua. If there were a need, he would extend the exercise to other hotels or places frequented by Mainland visitors in his division.

Officer handing out anti-crime leaflets in a Sha Tin hotel

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