Regional Commanders' Report

     During the year the six Regional Commanders continued to focus on their major strategic objectives: deployment of a strong, uniformed police presence, execution of intelligence-based operations and maintenance of close liaison with Mainland and other overseas law enforcement agencies to ensure Hong Kong remains one of the safest cities in the world. Paramount concerns were combating violent crime, local and transnational organised crime activities, and psychotropic drug use by young persons.

     The overall crime rate remained among the lowest in comparison to other world cities. All Regions continued to achieve outstanding results in the fight against drugs, triad activities, 'quick cash' crime, high-risk premises robberies, youth crime and violent crime involving firearms. Once more it was gratifying to note the strong public support and cooperation the Force received in the maintenance of law and order.

    For the future, we will continue to adopt a vigorous, pro-active and rapid response approach to law enforcement with the support and assistance of the community.

Hong Kong Island Region

     In 2002, Hong Kong Island (HKI) Region recorded a marginal increase of 2 per cent in overall crime. Violent crime declined and reports of robbery and burglary were the lowest in the past five years. Overall youth crime dropped significantly by 23.4 per cent as compared to 2001.

     Enforcement action against triad elements continued to take effect. The total number of triad-related cases in 2002 showed a significant decrease of 23 per cent compared to 2001. Action against abusive use of psychotropic drugs resulted in the arrest of 466 persons with a seizure of over 2.1 kilograms of ketamine and 2,950 tablets of MDMA.

     Concerted efforts in road safety education, traffic offence enforcement and road re-engineering contributed to a reduction of both personal injury and damage only accidents. The 'Blacksites Ownership Scheme' helped to reduce the overall number of reported traffic accidents by 3.4 per cent. The 'Road Safety Mobile Classroom' was introduced in April 2002 to provide ad hoc on-street lectures as an alternative measure to enforcement action against pedestrian offenders at accident blacksites.

     One of the most prominent policing commitments for HKI Region was public order and crowd management events held throughout the year. The Region dealt with 266 public meetings, 395 public processions and 1,106 crowd management events in 2002. During the year, the Region played a major role in facilitating a number of major international meetings and conventions, including the Forbes Global CEO Conference, Air Cargo Forum and the 16th World Congress of Accountants.

Kowloon East Region

     In 2002, Kowloon East (KE) Region mounted a series of sweeping operations against triad activities targeting triad recruitment, triad influence in schools and of youth. A total of 388 persons were arrested in these operations. Serious crimes were contained at a very low level. The number of robbery with pistol like object cases dropped 33 per cent in 2002. In addition, the number of young offenders arrested for drug offences dropped 38 per cent.

     To tackle the problem of psychotropic drug abuse among juveniles, undercover detectives were sent to rave parties for covert surveillance on target persons, resulting in the successful detection of a number of cases of trafficking in dangerous drugs. To help youngsters stay away from undesirable characters, KE Region now runs projects for youngsters at risk, like the School Multi-Agencies Parents Project in Sau Mau Ping District; Project Sunshine in Wong Tai Sin District; and Project Embrace in Kwun Tong District.

     The opening of the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Tseung Kwan O Line brought new challenges. Close to the Tseung Kwan O Cemetery, Yau Tong MTR Station was used by a large number of grave-sweepers during the Chung Yeung Festival. The Station control plan formulated by Police and the MTRC proved to be successful for both crowd management and railway operation. In July 2002, MTR Police District won the Operations Control Centre Golden Apple Award in recognition of its efficiency.

     During the year, the Region introduced various measures to minimise resource and energy consumption, to help waste recycling and to introduce smoke free offices in police stations. Wong Tai Sin District has actively put into practice eco-friendly measures since 2001 and successfully won the Green Office Gold Award (Large Organisations) in the '2002 Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards'.

Kowloon West Region

     In 2002, Kowloon West Region witnessed a slight increase in the overall crime rate. In line with the Force's operational priorities, concerted action was mounted against a number of individuals and groups strongly suspected of using firearms. In 2002, pro-active enforcement action resulted in the arrest of 12 persons and the combined seizure of four semi-automatic pistols, one shotgun and 28 rounds of ammunition.

    Given the prevalence of entertainment premises in the Region, enforcement action against illegal drug activity was maintained at all levels. Drug raids achieved an 89 per cent success rate last year with heroin remaining the predominant drug seized. Psychotropic drug abuse remained popular amongst young persons. In 2002, 745 persons under the age of 21 were arrested in relation to drug related offences. In response, Regional resources remained committed to targeting those responsible for the distribution and supply of drugs as well as maintaining enforcement action including 'controlled buy' operations at those blackspots identified as breeding grounds for such activity.

     In 2002, Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po Districts accounted for the vast majority of the vice-related offences reported in the Region. Mainland involvement in the vice industry remained problematic with Two Way Permit Holders accounting for 73 per cent of all the prostitutes arrested in 2002 as compared to 55 per cent of those arrested in 2001. A number of proactive anti-vice operations including 'Firelily', 'Bluebird' and 'Yardmaster' took place to curb Mainland prostitutes in the Region.

     Juvenile involvement in crime remained one of the Region's policing priorities, with Regional police resources working closely with other Government departments and non-governmental organisations. Their combined efforts and hard work paid dividends in 2002 with the numbers of juveniles and young persons arrested for crime decreasing by 27 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively, as compared to the figures for 2001.

      In 2002, there were 681 triad-related offences in the Region, representing a rise of 24 per cent compared to the previous year. An updated Regional Strategy against triad activities was prepared and widely promulgated by all operational units in the Region. Successful operations continued to be accorded publicity to reassure the public of the Region's commitment to tackling triad activities.

New Territories North Region

     In line with the rising trend of the territory, New Territories North (NTN) Region noted an increase in overall crime as compared to the preceding year. The increase was mainly attributable to the upsurge in property related crimes. However, due to stringent enforcement action, total violent crime decreased slightly and the Region's continuing anti-vehicle crime strategy successfully reduced the number of vehicle crimes.

     Towards the end of 2002, NTN implemented its enforcement strategy against triad involvement in the 2003 Rural Elections to ensure a smooth and fair election. Undercover operations and intelligence-led operations were mounted that successfully neutralised a prominent faction of one triad society and a dangerous drug distribution centre.

    The upgrading of the Border Fence was completed in April and intensive training was given to officers responsible for security in the use of new technologies. The San Uk Ling Holding Centre's renovation was almost completed. The Centre will provide illegal immigrants awaiting repatriation to the Mainland with facilities that meet international standards for individuals under detention.

     During 2002, a total of 14 persons were prosecuted for illegal road racing and related offences in the Region. This was a dramatic rise on the previous year's numbers. In order to deal with illegal road racing activities in the safest manner, intelligence-gathering operations were enhanced, and enforcement action directed against specific individuals and locations. Assistance from other police units and Government departments also increased the overall effectiveness of these operations.

New Territories South Region

     The 12,109 crimes reported in New Territories South (NTS) Region in 2002 was slightly above the level in 2001, but the third lowest figure since the Region was established in 1993. Investigation of the activities of triads and drug traffickers with the aim of prosecuting offenders and limiting their influence helped to contain these problems.

     The level of juvenile crime in 2002 dropped to the lowest level since the Region was formed in 1993. This was largely attributable to the appointment of Secondary School Liaison Officers in late 2001, the preventative effect of continuous anti-juvenile crime publicity campaigns, successful undercover enforcement operations targeting triad influence on students and the targeting of psychotropic drug activities within the Region.

     During the year, the Region conducted a number of security operations for internationally prominent persons who visited Hong Kong via Hong Kong International Airport. The most notable of these were President Jiang Zemin, who visited Hong Kong in late June/early July for the 5th Anniversary Celebration of the Establishment of the HKSAR, and Premier Zhu Rongji who visited in November for the 16th World Congress of Accountants.

     Between March and October 2002, a number of covert anti-triad and anti-dangerous drug operations were mounted in Tsuen Wan area. As a result, 60 triad members and 90 drug traffickers with triad backgrounds were arrested. In Kwai Tsing District a four-month undercover operation was mounted against triad trafficking of psychotropic drugs to youths in a disco. The operation successfully neutralised triad-controlled trafficking activities through the arrest of 11 persons.

     In 2002, the continued expansion of both the road and rail networks, including the West Rail and East Rail Extension, in NTS greatly increased the commitment of traffic personnel in both the infrastructure planning and the enforcement of traffic legislation. There was an upward traffic accident trend in 2002 compared to 2001. NTS officers conducted visible enforcement as a deterrent at known accident blacksites. This was supplemented by new speed enforcement cameras, which resulted in a great number of 'non-stop' summons prosecutions against speeding.

    Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001 in the United States, Airport District management was faced with the difficult task of enhancing the physical security of the Airport, strengthening awareness about the threat of terrorism and providing reassurance to members of the Airport community as well as the travelling public. In close liaison with the Airport community, the Police achieved significant improvements in the areas of security coverage, contingency planning and response, and public reassurance. The Airport response to both air crash and terrorist incidents was recently tested in two large-scale exercises. The latter is particularly significant in light of the Bali bombing and growing tension in the Middle East.

Marine Region

     Marine Police played a key role in mounting operations to counter pre-planned and highly organised cross-boundary criminal smuggling and illegal immigrant movements throughout the year. Such operations require close departmental and inter-departmental intelligence gathering and liaison, with the fast pursuit arm - the High Speed Intercepter of the Small Boat Division - frequently being used to intercept suspects and make arrests. High value cargos of computer parts and other electronic goods are regularly seized. Considerable success was also achieved against syndicates moving illicit cargo hidden in containers.

     The fleet enhancement and upgrading programme continued with the introduction of the first two 'Keka' class patrol vessels into service, with the next two expected to be commissioned in early 2004. The two fixed barges deployed in Deep Bay provided excellent facilities for countering smuggling activities in that area.

     In 2002, the Automatic Vessel Location and Messaging Sub-Systems were implemented. They considerably enhanced the communication facilities of the Region, and in the process won the coveted 'Most Innovative Service' award at the TETRA World Congress.