The Force faced a heavy operational calendar in 2005, culminating in the major security and policing operations for the World Trade Organization Hong Kong Ministerial Conference. We continued to meet challenges in the face of increasing expectations from the community. Front-line service was maintained in spite of budgetary constraints imposed on the Force as part of the Government´s austerity drive.
Despite these varied commitments, the overall crime situation in 2005 compared favourably with the previous year. A decrease of 4.8 per cent was registered in overall crime. Theft, particularly opportunist crimes, remained the category that contributed most to the drop in overall crime. The overall detection rate remained steady at 44.3 per cent, compared with 43.6 per cent for 2004. The 2005 crime rate, measured as crimes per 100 000 people, saw a drop of 5.6 per cent as compared to 2004. The number of crimes involving the use of genuine firearms in 2005 also remained low, with only four such cases reported, three of which were robbery-related.
During the year we strengthened our liaison and cooperation with the Mainland and Macao authorities to address cross-boundary crimes. Simultaneous operations were conducted in the three jurisdictions in June and October, as a result of which a number of organised criminal syndicates were neutralised and large seizures of crime proceeds, drugs, betting slips, fake goods, pirated discs and other illegal paraphernalia were made.
Internationally, as a member of China´s National Central Bureau delegation to Interpol, we pursued issues of cross-jurisdictional interest including counter-terrorism, drug trafficking and internet-related crime. At the Interpol General Assembly held in Berlin in September, progress in developing our international portal entitled I-24/7 was discussed. I-24/7 provides a wide range of services: full messaging with complete contact details for every National Central Bureau; direct access to databases including stolen and fraudulent payment cards and travel documents, as well as DNA profiles and fingerprints; and access to Interpol´s terrorism watch list.
To ensure we deal with our day-to-day responsibilities efficiently and effectively as well as facing up to the challenges ahead, the Force launched its third Three Year Strategic Action Plan in August. Among our key areas of focus for this three-year cycle will be strengthening our operational capability to deal with contingencies and potential terrorist activities, whilst at the same time ensuring an effective and efficient day-to-day police service.
Our Strategic Action Plan addresses our medium and longer term objectives. The Commissioner´s Operational Targets focus on our operational activities for the year ahead for all Force members. For 2006, these targets include: action against terrorism; violent crimes; triads; trafficking and abuse of dangerous drugs; “quick cash” crimes; offences related to visitors, tourists and illegal immigrants, as well as road safety.
In regard to management functions in the Force, we are strengthening our training standards by inculcating a lifelong learning culture within the Force. One of the principal ways in which we aim to achieve this is by channelling efforts through the new Hong Kong Police College, which officially opened in January 2006. This new institute will be developed in a gradual manner with the objective of becoming a centre of excellence in police training.
To further develop the Force´s capability in crime investigation, a review to streamline processes was completed in 2005. In the coming year, action will be taken to improve areas identified in the review, thereby further enhancing our professionalism in this crucial arena.
For the year ahead, we face a number of scheduled major events including the Rugby Sevens and the festivities surrounding the Chinese New Year and National Day. The World Cup in June will call for local measures to ensure that order is maintained in places of entertainment and that the Force provides resources to address instances of illegal gambling. The ITU (International Telecommunications Union) Telecom World 2006 which is to be held in December, will also require a Force-wide policing response. The spectre of an avian flu pandemic remains ever present. The Force has issued “Guidelines on Human Infectious Disease Outbreaks” and maintains close contact with the Centre for Health Protection. We have also participated in interdepartmental meetings run by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, to discuss the Force´s role in any future infectious disease outbreak.
In reflecting on the Force´s achievements through 2005, it is reassuring to see that our dedicated efforts to improve our service to the people of Hong Kong have been validated by independent external surveys. It is encouraging that 85 per cent of our community has confidence in the Hong Kong Police, but we must reach out and address the concerns of the remaining 15 per cent.
During the year ahead, with the support of the community that we serve and care for, we will continue to strive to identify further areas of improvement and pursue our vision to keep Hong Kong one of the safest and most stable societies in the world.