Throughout the operation, a total of more than 650,000 worshippers visited the Wong Tai Sin Temple, with more than 120,000 coming during the peak hours on the third day of the Chinese New Year.

Superintendent Alan Crowther, Assistant District Commander (Operations) WTSDIST, pointed out that the crowd management operation at the Wong Tai Sin Temple this year was particularly challenging due to expansion works at the temple, resulting in temporary closure of 40 per cent of the temple area and a significant reduction in space to accommodate crowds.

WTSDIST started preparing and planning for the operation as early as June last year. This included the crowd flows inside and outside the temple and implementation of queuing arrangements for visitors. Extensive consultation with stakeholders was made to engage their participation in the planning process, including Home Affairs Department, District Lands Office, Housing Department, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Transport Department, MTRC, Sik Sik Yuen temple management, representatives from local businesses and other Police Formations.

Assistant District Operations Officer WTSDIST, Senior Inspector Chu Kam-wai, who assisted in the preparation and planning, said it was a great challenge to formulate a workable plan within a limited queuing area for a large number of crowds, especially on the Eve of the Chinese New Year when more than 30,000 worshippers flocked to the temple simultaneously for offering the "First Joss-stick". Thorough consideration was given to crowd flow routes, ways to set up mills-barriers and directional banners. For the "worst case scenario" and possible overcrowding, several contingency plans were also prepared. Throughout the operation, information on the number of worshippers queuing outside the temple and the time required to access the temple was disseminated to the local media through Police Public Relations Branch.

WTS District Commander David Gunton greatly appreciated the efforts of all his officers participating in the planning and execution of the operation. In his view, the operation was conducted smoothly, reflecting the officers' exemplary professionalism and excellent teamwork.

The Chairman of the Wong Tai Sin Temple, Mr Lee Yiu-fai, noted that the crowd management arrangements both inside and outside the temple were the most complicated, compared with those in previous years. He also commented that crowds were managed in a most orderly manner this year, adding that officers' hardwork and efforts truly reflected the Force's fine tradition.

Several frontline officers who participated in the operation have given their views of the operation.

Sergeant Tsui Wai-tak, of Patrol Sub-unit 1 said it was the second time he had performed crowd management duties at the Wong Tai Sin Temple. Worshippers insisted on bringing offerings and large joss sticks to the temple, despite prohibition by the Sik Sik Yuen for safety reasons. As a result, many officers on duty in the temple had their caps and jackets covered with ash of burning joss sticks, and some officers' eyes were also irritated by smoke.

Despite the hardship he had gone through, SGT Tsui was proud to have played a role in the operation.

For Woman Police Constable Law Ka-ling of Patrol Sub-unit 2, participating in the operation was a big challenge. Other than performing crowd control duties, she also helped tourists visiting the temple. She said she gained valuable experience from the operation, besides a great deal of job satisfaction.

Police Constable Lee Kim-ching of Patrol Sub-unit 4 pointed out that officers did their best in the operation, and earned the compliments of the public with their assistance to the elderly, young children and disabled persons. He commented that the operation not only projected the Force's positive image, but also showed how comprehensive the crowd management plan was.

The large number of worshippers flocking to the Wong Tai Sin Temple poses a big challenge for officers' crowd management job