Care for the community as a whole continued to be the cornerstone of the Regions´ policing and every effort was made to serve the public´s rising needs and expectations through close liaison with representative bodies and the building of partnerships to fight crime. The Regions further developed their strategy of proactively engaging major enterprises, public organisations, and representative associations of various trades and schools to form long-term constructive relationships to preserve public order and safety. The feedback from the public on the partnership initiatives launched by the various Regions was positive and there was strong community support and cooperation in the maintenance of law and order. The Force is determined to continue with this strategy well into the future.
Hong Kong Island Region
Being the political and financial centre of the SAR, Hong Kong Island remained the most popular place for the holding of various public order events. The Region continued to implement the Force´s well-established policy of facilitating all lawful public assemblies and processions. During 2005, almost 200 000 man-hours were devoted to ensuring public safety at 877 crowd management operations, with a further 55 000 man-hours expended at 392 public processions and 584 public meetings. Of note amongst these various events was the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference. Other events included the Rugby World Cup, the Lions Club International Convention and Parade, the visits of various senior leaders and high-profile personalities from the Mainland, as well as the public procession on July 1.
The crucial importance of maintaining the smooth flow of traffic on Hong Kong Island´s constantly busy road network presented further demanding challenges to the Region. Several large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the re-alignment of strategic flyovers in the east of the Island, necessitated unique traffic management measures. These included the implementation of a series of well-rehearsed road diversions and closures to ensure smooth traffic.
As a result of high profile policing, the downward trend of reported crime continued in 2005. There was a welcome decrease of 2.6 per cent in overall crime together with substantial further declines of 34.4 per cent and 23.8 per cent, respectively, for robbery and burglary in the Region.
Hong Kong Island Region was also active in the field of criminal investigation and the proactive targeting of criminal gangs. With the safety of the public as the first priority, considerable success was achieved in the neutralisation of a gang of robbers that had preyed on hikers in the country parks, another gang that was active in the theft of jewelry at the Convention and Exhibition Centre, and a third gang that specialised in burgling hotel rooms.
Vigorous crime prevention campaigns were a feature of the Region´s efforts during 2005, with special attention being given to raising public awareness in respect of personal safety. In recognition of the diverse ethnicity within the Region´s populace, a multilingual publicity campaign aimed at reducing “quick cash” crimes, as well as joint initiatives with other departments to improve security in schools, were particularly well received.
Kowloon East Region
Kowloon East Region´s overall crime rate was marginally lower than that recorded in 2004, with overall decreases in the number of reports of robbery, taking conveyances without authority, burglary and theft from vehicles.
Crime prevention again focused on partnership with housing estate managements, reinforcing the multi-agency approach against deceptions that targeted the elderly, as well as introducing a number of projects aimed at discouraging youngsters from turning to crime, or from becoming recidivists. Prominent amongst these projects were the “Sounds of Silence” and “Operation Breakthrough”. The former gave support to youngsters under the juvenile protection scheme through e-mails. The latter, which developed significantly during 2005, arranged various activities regularly for 250 disadvantaged young people including boxing, rugby, football and modern dance, as well as outward-bound courses and vocational training courses.
The Force is regularly called upon to assist in emergencies. In 2005, there were two high profile search and rescue operations within the Sai Kung Country Park for missing hikers. In both cases, in addition to the on-duty personnel involved, several hundred off-duty officers assisted throughout the days when the searches were underway, a tangible reminder of the commitment of not only the Region´s but also the Force´s officers to serving and taking care of the public.
Kowloon West Region
In 2005, Kowloon West Region recorded an encouraging decrease in overall crime by 5.9 per cent. The Region also recorded decreases of violent crimes by 3.2 per cent, burglary by 11.3 per cent, robbery by 17.4 per cent, pickpocketing by 35.3%. The number of “quick cash” crimes reported also fell. Mainland prostitutes using two-way permits for entry continued to dominate the vice market, accounting for 80.5 per cent of the total arrests during the year. The detection of vice-related offences increased substantially by 29.3 per cent. Firm and proactive action was taken against triad elements resulting in a reduction of triad-related cases by 6.9 per cent.
Care for the community as a whole continued to underpin the Region´s policing. To enhance mutual understanding, regular liaisons were held with the leaders of Nepalese, Pakistani and Indian communities to address issues of common interest. Emergency Unit Kowloon West implemented a project with the assistance of volunteer officers to enhance the personal skills and social awareness of ethnic minority youth groups in order to facilitate their integration into the community.
A “Building Security and Neighbourhood Crime Prevention Scheme” was launched in Mong Kok District, to encourage Owners Incorporations and Mutual Aid Committees to improve the security measures of their buildings and enhance the awareness of residents in preventing burglary.
The fight against juvenile crime, in particular the abuse of psychotropic drugs, remained a top priority in the Region, which continued to adopt a proactive multi-agency approach. In 2005, the number of juveniles and young persons arrested for crime decreased by 2.3 per cent and 21 per cent respectively.
New Territories North Region
In 2005, the Region continued to build on the successes achieved in the previous year. Overall crime saw a reduction of 8 per cent over 2004.
A series of workshops was organised to enhance the crime prevention capability of village representatives who agreed to disseminate crime prevention messages to their villagers. Home security systems were on display in these workshops, which were backed up by intelligence-based anti-burglary operations. The result was a 38 per cent drop in burglary cases in 2005 as compared to 2004. Robberies also fell by 23 per cent, blackmail by 33 per cent, and vehicle crime by 17 per cent.
During the year, a number of joint initiatives between Police districts, government departments, local schools and NGOs were implemented, with the common aim of preventing youths from becoming involved in criminal activities. One notable initiative was a joint effort by Tuen Mun Police District and Lingnan University to establish a police/school website, which greatly enhanced communications between students, local schools and Police. Students and schools were more forthcoming with crime information. The number of juveniles arrested in 2005 dropped by 10 per cent as compared to the preceding year.
The introduction of the “Individual Visitor Scheme” and the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland were the main contributory factors to a 37 per cent increase in Mainland visitors to Hong Kong in 2005. In order to prepare for an ever-increasing passenger flow through the land boundary crossing points, the facilities and equipment in the multi-agency Joint Operation Centre set up at Lok Ma Chau are to be upgraded.
Border District maintained a very effective boundary liaison with the Shenzhen authorities over the year. One example was the spectacular arrest made with the assistance of the People´s Armed Police in May, when Border District officers smashed a syndicate attempting to smuggle palm oil across the boundary through 400 metres of piping laid beneath Border Fence Road and a nearby nullah.
In order to seek out illegal immigrants hiding underneath vehicles entering Hong Kong, Border District personnel invented an “Enhanced Under Vehicle Surveillance System”. The system received the Champion award in the 2004/2005 Force Service Quality Award Scheme.
New Territories South Region
In 2005, through partnership in fight crime projects, New Territories South Region actively searched for opportunities to form a strong alliance within the Region with all major stakeholders in addition to District Councils, District Fight Crime Committees and Mutual Aid Committees, to promote the concept of a safe community cared for and served by the local Police.
With the dedicated support of this local community, the Region recorded a 4.2 per cent decrease in overall crime in 2005. Recorded cases of robbery, burglary, wounding and serious assault, and serious narcotics offences also fell. Similarly there was a 4 per cent decrease in juvenile crimes, which was a priority target of the Region in 2005. The Region will continue to adopt a vibrant, proactive community policing strategy that aims to help problematic youth rehabilitate and prevent those that are vulnerable or at risk from criminal exploitation from resorting to crime.
In the coming years, in addition to the existing major infrastructure in the Region, a number of major projects will commence or be completed. These include the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Logistics Park and the Tung Chung-Ngong Ping Cable Car Project. All of these projects will introduce more tourists, traffic and business to Lantau Island and are expected to place extra pressure on existing police resources.
Marine Region
In 2005, the Marine Region´s multi-agency approach towards interdicting smuggling and thefts via sea routes proved successful. As a result, the total value of contraband goods seized amounted to $144 million, nearly five times the value of the total seizure in 2004. A series of successful operations mounted in March against thefts of Buddhist Pines led to the arrest of culprits at the eastern seaboard of the HKSAR and their subsequent conviction. In December, Marine Region worked closely with other land formations to successfully police Victoria Harbour and the adjacent waterfronts of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre where the WTO HKMC was held. The Region also committed officers to crowd management duties on land.
In order to meet the challenges posed by faster coastal craft and in compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, Marine Region has embarked on a new operating concept, known as the Versatile Maritime Policing Response, to police the waters of Hong Kong for the next 10 to 15 years. This new strategy will integrate technologically advanced coastal surveillance systems with an enhanced radar system and a new fleet of high performance vessels, thereby enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.