Airport
Security
In
2000, the first of what will be regular exercises was held to test the
effectiveness of the Airport Security Programme. The exercise involved
dedicated teams attempting to infiltrate secure areas of the new airport.
Illegal
Immigration
The
Force is responsible for policing the Hong Kong side of the land and sea
boundaries with the Mainland to prevent illegal immigration. Such traffic
has declined steadily since 1993, and in the year under review, Police
caught only 7 631 illegal immigrants (IIs) ¡X 28 per cent less than the
10 544 in 1999. The 561 IIs arrested in June also marked the lowest
monthly total in 10 years.
Among those detained, 42 per cent claimed to have entered Hong Kong by sea
and 58 per cent by crossing the land boundary. Although hiding underneath
container trucks remains a commonly used tactic by the land crossers, the
number of such arrests decreased 34 per cent in 2000. Stringent measures
have been taken to tackle the problem, including a new device to detect
stowaways.
Close liaison and exchange of intelligence on II activities with the
Guangdong Border Defence Bureau (GDBDB) has continued to be effective in
combating illegal immigration. As part of our coordinated activities along
the boundary, the Hong Kong Police and GDBDB forces successfully held a
joint exercise in April 2000 to test readiness for any sudden outbreak of
border incidents.
Vietnamese
Illegal Immigrants
During
the year, 578 Vietnamese illegal immigrants (VIIs) were arrested, 39 per
cent less than in 1999. The Force escorted 560 VIIs back to Vietnam under
the Orderly Repatriation Programme.
Anti-Smuggling
The
Force has continued to work very closely with the Mainland authorities in
the fight against smuggling. Through improved exchange of intelligence,
regular liaison and good cooperation, enforcement action became more
coordinated and effective during the past year. High profile joint
cross-boundary exercises and real operations proved to be a significant
deterrent. Helped by the commissioning of a fleet of high-speed pursuit
craft, the level of smuggling activities along the boundary has dropped
substantially.
Traffic
The
task of maintaining a smooth traffic flow and reducing accidents is a
major challenge for traffic police in Hong Kong, which has one of the
highest vehicle densities anywhere in the world ¡X reaching 306 per km in
2000. The improvement in the economy resulted in a monthly increase of 662
vehicles registered for use on the road, the majority of which were
private cars, bringing the total to 582 141.
Accidents
and Road Safety
Despite
the increase in vehicle registrations and population, traffic accidents
rose only marginally in 2000, while fatalities, at 171, were the lowest
for more than 40 years. Stringent enforcement action is taken to deter
offences that cause accidents, particularly speeding, erratic driving and
disobeying traffic signals. Legislative support came during the year when
the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving was banned and
restrictions were imposed on newly qualified motorcyclists.
To assist traffic police in catching violators, the Force is equipping 15
motorcycles with video systems and has installed a further five in-car
systems to its patrol car fleet. Other new equipment includes six laser
speed detection digital cameras and 10 extra sets of the latest long-range
speed laser gun. Two additional automatic speed enforcement cameras will
be set up at strategic points along major highways to deter speeding and
dangerous driving.
To
meet tighter drink driving legislation imposed in October 1999, all
traffic officers are now qualified to take breathalyser tests of suspected
drivers. A further 340 alcohol screening devices were brought into use
during the year.
Traffic Branch Headquarters also plays an important role in coordinating
education and publicity in respect of road safety. The Road Safety Unit
provides secretariat support to the Road Safety Council and its Campaign
Committee, whose main theme for 2000/2001 was 'Smart Driving'.
Traffic
Prosecutions
All
traffic summonses and fixed penalty prosecutions are processed by the
Central Traffic Prosecutions Bureau. The year saw a slight decrease in
overall traffic contraventions with some 1 369 000 traffic prosecutions
processed, down 4.4 per cent from 1999. Moving offences targeted in 2000
included dangerous driving, drink driving, speeding, overloading and
disobeying traffic lights. Against these targeted offences 448 859 fixed
penalty tickets, 79 457 summonses and 2 735 arrest cases were recorded in
2000. For parking offences, 838 288 fixed penalty tickets were issued,
representing a decrease of 6.3 per cent compared with 1999.
Traffic
Management Bureau
The
Bureau plays a key role as the Force's representative in the planning and
preparation of major infrastructure projects. Its officers are responsible
for liaising with other government departments, major corporations,
consultants and contractors in the planning and construction of major road
and rail projects to ensure that measures are taken to enhance road safety
and the utilization of road space. It is also actively involved in
formulating and implementing traffic improvement schemes and Bureau staff
give advice on local traffic and transport matters at Regional and
District levels.
Transport
The
Force maintains a fleet of more than 2 500 vehicles of varying designs and
functions to cope with all aspects of daily policing, internal security
and special events.
During the year, Transport Division initiated a complete review of all
vehicles and ancillary equipment to improve working practices and provide
physical protection where necessary. Subsequent action included fitting
safety railings to the roofs of vehicles, issuing guidelines on the use of
equipment, and purchasing new equipment.
Similar attention to safety was given when outfitting several new
four-wheel drive vehicles being introduced to replace the aging Land
Rovers. Measures included enhanced Force markings and new reflective
materials to make the vehicles more easily recognised and distinctive.
Police
Licensing Office
Police
have been given new power to control the recreational use of guns through
the enactment of the Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Ordinance 2000,
which came into force in February. The comprehensive amendments include
measures to strengthen safety requirements and raise standards for arms
instructors and management of shooting ranges. As a result, the Office
issued about 1 200 authorisations and approvals in addition to processing
3 000 arms licences and permits.
Since 1995, Police have controlled the standard of private security
companies and their personnel through a licensing scheme under which more
than 180 000 security personnel permits have been issued. With the first
batch of five-year permits due for renewal in July 2000, a computerised
system was installed to handle the ongoing re-processing.
The Commissioner of Police is the licensing authority for the issue of
temporary liquor licences which are issued to allow retail sale of liquor
at public events. In 2000, a total of 61 temporary liquor licences were
issued.
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