Regional Commanders' Report

     During 2001, the six Regional Commanders continued to pursue their major objectives: overseeing the smooth running of day-to-day Police work on the operational front, and ensuring that Hong Kong remains one of the safest cities in the world. Paramount concerns were the maintenance of law and order, the prevention and detection of crime, and the safeguarding and protecting of life and property. As a result, the overall law and order situation remained stable. The general crime rate remained amongst the lowest in comparison to other world cities. All Regions achieved remarkable results in the fight against drugs, youth crime, triad activities as well as anti-illegal immigration and smuggling. It was heartening to note strong community support and co-operation in the maintenance of law and order.

     For the future, we will continue to enhance various aspects of day-to-day Police work by making the best use of human resources and modern and sophisticated equipment. We will continue to enlist public support and assistance in the fight against crime.

Hong Kong Island Region

     In 2001, the total number of crimes decreased marginally by 2.4 per cent, while robbery and violent crime declined significantly by 12 per cent and 12.8 per cent respectively. Overall youth crime dropped significantly by 26 per cent.

     Stringent enforcement action against triad elements and tight control of entertainment outlets continued to effectively contain triad problems in the Region during the year. The number of triad-related cases noticeably dropped by nearly 35 per cent.

     Major priorities for Traffic Hong Kong Island (HKI) in the year 2001 were to reduce traffic accidents, to minimise traffic congestion on crowded roads, and to facilitate the many crowd management events and public processions in the Region. Together with concerted enforcement and public education programmes, the 'Blacksites Ownership Scheme' succeeded in reducing the number of fatal traffic accidents on HKI roads by 28 per cent.

     One of the most prominent policing commitments of the Region was the frequent occurrence of public order and crowd management events during the year. Through effective dialogue and meticulous planning, the 406 public meetings and 271 public processions held in 2001 were smoothly and peacefully managed. The Region is also responsible for 853 major crowd management events. During the year, the Region played a central role in facilitating a number of major international fora, including the Fortune Global Forum, the East Asia Economic Summit, and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council General Meeting.

Kowloon East Region

     There were 9,876 crime reports received in Kowloon East (KE) Region in 2001, a decrease of 6.8 per cent on the total number of reported crimes in 2000. Amongst these reported crimes, 4,179 cases were detected, representing a detection rate of almost 43 per cent.

     Throughout the year, the Region prioritised its efforts to combat youth involvement in crime and drugs by adopting a multi-level approach to maintain close liaison with schools, community organisations and government departments concerned.

     On the anti-triad front, all frontline and intelligence units maintained a firm grip on triad-related activitiesn the Region. The figures of triad-related crimes decreased by 7.5 per cent. Joint efforts continued with the Customs and Excise Department to combat the unlawful selling of pirated optical discs and marked oil. In view of the upsurge in street deception cases, crime prevention units organised a series of campaigns to enhance public awareness.

     The Region was also at the forefront in the use of technology to improve operational effectiveness. These included the use of on-line databases to co-ordinate public order and crowd management events and an on-line database of Fast Track 'Missing Person' cases to improve results. To assist in the overall co-ordination and optimum deployment of resources, a new system of on-line computer based Operations Diaries was instituted at Regional and District Headquarters throughout the Region.

     In the year under review, Wong Tai Sin District launched an environmental protection policy. A Green Management Committee was set up to formulate and implement the green policy. Due to these efforts, the District received a 'Green Office' gold award in the 2001 Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards Scheme financed by the Environmental and Conservation Fund.

     During 2001, the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) District continued to work together with the MTR Corporation to make the MTR system one of the most crime-free mass transit systems in the world. MTR District also continued to actively plan for the challenges arising from the expansion of Hong Kong's railway network.

'We are determined to combat the use of
psychotropic drugs.'

Kowloon West Region

     In 2001, Kowloon West (KW) Region saw an encouraging decrease in the overall crime rate. Drugs raids carried out within the Region achieved an 87 per cent success rate, with heroin remaining the predominant drug seized. An upward trend was observed in the abuse of psychotropic drugs, as reflected in a significant increase in the number of arrests and seizures in relation to 'Ecstasy' and 'Ketamine'.

     Illicit vice business continued to operate in the Region. Since its heart is the Mong Kok area, Regional anti-vice measures remained largely focused on this District. There are approximately 308 vice establishments in Mong Kok. As a result of a series of extensive and stringent proactive actions, 129 Closure Orders were successfully executed.

     The greater number of Mainland illegal immigrants arrested for prostitution was attributed to their increasing use by various vice syndicates. These are responding to shortfalls in the market resulting from intensified enforcement action by both Regional and District anti-vice units. In addition to the assistance from the Immigration Department, a series of 'Bluebird' operations involving the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department continued throughout 2001 in an attempt to further tackle cross-boundary vice activities.

     Juvenile crime remained a top priority, with operations specifically aimed at juveniles involved in drugs and drug-related crimes. A proactive approach with multi-agency co-operation was adopted by KW Districts and the number of juvenile and young persons arrested for crime decreased in 2001. A non-profit making organisation, 'Kowloon West Youth-Care Committee' was established in April 2001 to subsidise the funding for anti-juvenile crime activities in KW Region. A quarterly magazine entitled 'Smart Teen', published by the Regional Crime Prevention Office of Kowloon West and four non-government organisations, covers selected juvenile crime cases, giving appropriate advice to readers on how to identify and avoid such activities.

New Territories North Region

     After three consecutive years of a continuous increase in crime that accompanied the fast development and growth of population in the New Territories North (NTN) Region, 2001 saw the start of a contrary trend with a significant drop of almost 10 per cent in total crime as compared to the preceding year. A decrease was noted in almost every category of crime.

     In response to the high incidence of vehicles being stolen and stripped for parts locally, a special task force was formed within Crime NTN to tackle vehicle theft. Various anti-vehicle crime operations were mounted in the Region, which effectively reduced the number of vehicle-related crimes.

     Although the Region experienced an overall increase in traffic accidents involving injury during 2001, a sustained effort to counter accidents of this nature on the main highways forming the Strategic Road Network (SRN) resulted in an almost eight per cent reduction.

     The year 2001 saw a continued enhancement of projects in Border District to further the prevention of illegal immigration. These included the upgrading of the Border Fence and the San Uk Ling Holding Centre, which is used to house illegal immigrants prior to repatriation to China.

New Territories South Region

     In 2001, the total number of crimes reported in the New Territories South (NTS) Region decreased to a four-year low. The number of violent crimes reported remained almost the same, from a five-year low in 2000. The overall detection rate for all reported crime remained at 47 per cent, same as in 2000.

     On March 14, 2001, late Police Constable Leung Shing-yan of Uniform Branch, Lei Muk Shue Division was ambushed and murdered while responding to a report of noise in Shek Wai Kok Estate. Shots were fired from his police service revolver, which was stolen together with the remaining ammunition. A Force funeral with full honours was held for late Constable Leung. Active inquiries are continuing.

     On December 5, 2001, a lone culprit armed with a revolver entered the Hang Seng Bank, Belvedere Gardens, Tsuen Wan and declared a robbery. The culprit shot and killed a security guard on duty. The Organised Crime and Triad Bureau is handling the case.

     On December 10, 2001, an armoured car of a security company was robbed outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club premises in Tsuen Wan. The culprits fledvia the MTR but were spotted by a member of the public who notified Police of the gangs' whereabouts resulting in the arrest of all four culprits and the recovery of the stolen property plus two revolvers in the Prince Edward MTR Station.

     Between January and October 2001, a number of covert anti-dangerous drug operations were conducted in Tsuen Wan area to tackle drug trafficking activities. As a result, 142 drug traffickers were arrested and 10 drug trafficking syndicates with triad backgrounds were neutralised.

     As good quality criminal intelligence is vital in the battle against serious crime, a Regional Work Improvement Team was established to identify the best practices in intelligence gathering and make appropriate recommendations. By late 2001, implementation of these recommendations had begun.

     In 2001, Traffic NTS maintained good control over road safety through the conduct of enforcement operations in accordance with the Selective Traffic Enforcement Policy, the Formation Traffic Reduction Strategy and road safety education. Visible enforcement action and the installation of speed enforcement cameras and red light cameras at traffic blackspots resulted in an increase of over 50 per cent in 'non-stop' summons prosecutions against speeding and traffic light offences during the year.

     Hong Kong International Airport was named in an independent survey as the World's Best Airport for 2001. One of the significant contributing factors to this success is the concerted effort of the Airport District Police to maintain a remarkably crime-free environment. The number of crime cases reported in 2001 was maintained at the same low level as in the previous year, whilst the overall detection rate increased.

     Integrity of the Airport security remains a primary focus of the District. To this end, District personnel were engaged in a series of operational exercises throughout the year to reflect the most current international standards on both the domestic and terrorist front. In line with Force strategy to combat terrorist attacks, close liaison was maintained with various authorities and agencies with a view to further strengthening Airport security; especially in the light of the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, 2001.

Marine Region

     Marine Police played a key role in combating sea-route illegal immigration and smuggling. The Region again improved its operational efficiency and delivery of service during the year by enhancing existing navigational equipment and communication systems and by introducing advanced and modern vessels to its fleet.

     The first of the new 'Keka' class vessels was delivered to the Region in early January 2002. This vessel, the first of six, will be the first all-aluminium vessel in the entire Government fleet. In addition, the Region initiated a replacement programme for the three Water Jet Boats presently working in Deep Bay with two purpose-built barges, and six fast-speed interceptors acting as command and logistical platforms. The Automatic Vessel Location and Messaging Sub-Systems due to commence operation in mid-2001 underwent additional enhancement and 'went live' in the first quarter of 2002.

     Marine Police also continued to strengthen relations and co-operation with its counterparts in Guangdong in order to help counter smuggling, illegal immigration and other sea crime activities. An exercise was successfully held in this regard, with the participation of Guangdong Public Security Department officers. In October 2001, the Region also participated in a joint Search and Rescue exercise with the Marine Department.