The tournament is a "must" for many in the local expatriate community. They are joined by thousands of loyal 7s fans from around the world, with particularly strong contingents of Ozzies and Kiwis, who often time their overseas trips to Europe and beyond to coincide with a long weekend in Hong Kong to watch the rugby. However, obtaining admission tickets and being at the stadium is not enough for some loyal fans; hardcore spectators aim for that pinnacle of party pleasure - the famed "South Stand".

Over the years, the South Stand has become a temporary home to many colourful spectators in a huge variety of imaginative costumes. This year alone, contingents of uniformed "police officers" from France, Thailand and New York were in evidence, mingling with singing "nuns", Scooby Doo wannabees, a large group of pie-munching Smurfs covered in bright blue body paint, and a party of khaki-clad Steve Irwin look-alikes. Whilst the party atmosphere is a huge draw for participants and event organisers, policing the 6,000 happy occupants of the South Stand and ensuring they can party in safety is a major challenge for Wan Chai District (WCHDIST).

In previous years, the inevitable outcome was scuffles and fights, persons falling over, attempts at climbing over security railings onto the pitch, and beer being thrown about. The latter trend reached a peak last year when dozens of two-litre beer jugs flew about the stand throughout the event, hitting other spectators on the head. Empty, this is bad enough. With beer (or worse!) inside they are heavy and dangerous, requiring Police intervention.

For the first time this year, the "weapons of choice" - two-litre beer jugs - were removed from the South Stand on Police advice, and replaced with smaller, softer, one-litre plastic cups. To keep a better eye on activities and supplement the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's built-in CCTV coverage, Police Communications Branch staff also installed temporary cameras to provide the Police Command Post with real-time images of activities. As has been done in previous years, volunteers were also sought from within the Force to form a number of special plainclothes policing teams to deal with the more excessive and extrovert behaviour of the unruly minority.

WCHDIST senior management thanked the 60 plus Special Action Squad (SAS) volunteers who stepped forward this year to put themselves "in harm's way", and also expressed appreciation of the excellent support and assistance offered by Communications Branch staff in planning, installing, and maintaining the temporary CCTV system.

SAS - South Stand Guardians

The rugby tournament poses a major policing challenge for Happy Valley Division. While everyone is partying, the Police are in full operational mode, ensuring that everyone gets to the stadium on time, either by bus, taxi or on foot; making sure they are safe during their stay at the stadium, and assisting them on their way home or to nearby bars and restaurants. The SAS is deployed at the very heart of the event, working away quietly and making sure the party at the South Stand does not get too out of control.

Members of the SAS teams go each day in plainclothes during the tournament, quietly talking to those in the crowd who get out of hand, advising them on acceptable behaviour, and joking with them to reduce the tensions such advice can bring.

It is a hard job, but a rewarding one for the SAS volunteers. Rewarding because of the "on the spot feedback". Many in the crowd initially call them the "fun police" for intervening with beer throwing, or breaking up scuffles. But the same people nearly always shake their hand and praise the way the stand is policed. Comparisons with their own police forces' handling of crowds back home are always made, and that comparison always favours the SAS' operations and performances.

Largely through the work of the SAS officers, the South Stand has become a safer place over the years. The restrictions of not allowing those under 18 in, and for the first time this year banning large plastic beer jugs, has gone a long way towards reducing tension. There are still flash points, where early and calm intervention by the dedicated and professional officers of the SAS reduces tension and stops things getting out of hand, but these make it safe for everyone else.

Use of Police CCTV at Stadium

Historically, the South Stand has been the favourite area for those intent on partying. Unfortunately the existing stadium cameras couldn't zoom in close enough or record multiple images quickly enough to assist officers in identifying hot spots or troublemakers. Previous policing relied heavily on officers having to constantly scan the crowd. When beer jugs started flying or fights broke out and officers were sent in to intervene, there was often no supporting video record of the events, both to establish who did what and, just as importantly, record accurately the actions of the offenders and responding officers.

To resolve these shortcomings and provide commanders with effective video coverage of activities, Happy Valley Division management and Information Systems Wing drew up plans this year to enhance the existing stadium CCTV coverage with temporary installation of four additional cameras at strategic locations on the East and West Stands, with the lenses aiming at the South Stand.

Over the three days of the tournament these cameras proved their worth on numerous occasions, and when trouble did break out they provided Police and LCSD staff with a record of events and an accurate portrayal of the Police and security staff's response. This ability proved invaluable in providing a timely record of events and refuting allegations of using excessive force when handling agitated or drunken fans.

WCHDIST and the regular SAS volunteers are looking forward to next year's rugby tournament.

Thanks to officers' hard work and vigilance, no untoward incidents have happened at a stadium packed to capacity