[ Foreword ] [ Memorable Events ] [ The Hand of Partnership ] [ Operations ] [ Regional Commanders' Report ] [ Personnel and Training ]
[ Management Services ]
[ Professional Equipment ] [ Finance, Administration and Planning ] [ Environmental Report ] [ Organisation ]
[ Annexes and Appendices ]
Then Director of Crime and Security Lo Wai-chung (left) and Director of Operations Wong Chi-hung introduce the overall law and order situation in the first six months of 2013.
Maintaining a High Level of Safety and Stability in Hong Kong There was a further improvement in the overall law and order situation of Hong Kong in 2013, with the total number of overall crime and violent crime reports falling by 4.0 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively in comparison with 2012. This represents an overall crime rate of 1,015 cases, and a violent crime rate of 169 cases per 100,000 residents. The detection rate also remained steady at 43.2 per cent, compared with 43.6 per cent recorded in 2012.
Decreases were seen in many major key crimes in 2013, including robbery, burglary, rape, criminal damage, criminal intimidation, wounding and serious assault, and theft. The number of robbery cases reported in 2013 reached a record low since 1969 and the number of burglarly cases was the lowest since 1971. For the seventh consecutive year there was no robbery case involving the use of genuine firearms. Despite the general decreasing trend in most major crimes, the increase in deception cases and technology crime remained a cause for concern.
Exhibits seized by the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau in a large-scale tripartite operation codenamed THUNDERBOLT 13 mounted together with Guangdong and Macao Police.
The Force sets up an inter-departmental working group with other Government departments and public bodies to launch a RenoSafe Scheme to prevent crimes arising from building renovation works.
In 2013, the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau continued to combat organised and serious crime as well as triad activities, particularly those involving cases of serious violence, syndicated vice, loan-sharking, human trafficking and syndicated vehicle theft, through proactive and intelligence-led operations. During the year, four major operations including two undercover operations against various prominent triad societies were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 132 triad members for various triad related criminal activities. Six vehicle theft syndicates were also neutralised in the year, with nine persons arrested and 24 vehicles recovered.
Partnership with law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in other jurisdictions remained a major priority. Between July and August, the Bureau mounted a series of tripartite joint operations with the Guangdong and Macao Police with the aim of curbing illegal activities of triad societies and organised crime syndicates, neutralising cross-boundary crimes and interdicting their sources of income. A total of 1,813 persons were arrested for various triad related offences in Hong Kong, with the seizure of dangerous drugs and other illegal items amounting to $38.9 million.
In a joint intelligence-led operation with the Guangdong and Shenzhen Police to target a cross-boundary bookmaking syndicate in June, the Bureau effected 33 arrests and the seizure of $120 million worth of illegal betting records and $1.7 million in cash, while the ForceÕs Mainland counterpart also arrested 23 persons and seized RMB 900 million worth of illegal betting records. In a successful Forcewide anti-illegal bookmaking operation coordinated by the Bureau in December, a total of 15 persons were arrested, and cash and betting records totalling to $25 million were seized.
The Bureau also launched a crime prevention project entitled RenoSafe Scheme together with Government departments and public organisations with the aim of preventing renovation consultants, contractors or any other persons from employing unlawful means to interfere with the tendering process and progress of building renovation works for gain.
The Criminal Intelligence Bureau holds the 12th Triad Course for Overseas Law Enforcement Officers.
The Criminal Intelligence Bureau continued to play a pivotal role in the implementation of intelligence-led policing within the Force to combat triad and organised crime activities. In addition to maintaining proactive cooperation and partnership with the Mainland, Macao and overseas counterparts, the Bureau organised the 12th Triad Course for Overseas Law Enforcement Officers during the year, which was attended by a total of 27 officers from 14 overseas LEAs. The course served as an effective platform for sharing knowledge and experience of criminal intelligence.
The Commercial Crime Bureau maintained its position at the forefront of efforts in Hong Kong and internationally to tackle serious and complex frauds, technology crimes and the counterfeiting of monetary instruments.
With the ever increasing use of information technology in our daily lives, Hong Kong has seen a marked increase in technology crime. The establishment of the Cyber Security Centre in December 2012 was the first step towards strengthening our cyber defence of Hong Kong. During the year, the Centre played an important part in enhancing collaboration and liaison with all sectors of the community, with the overall aim of improving the publicÕs level of awareness and establishing a professional response system against such attacks in the future.
A private-public partnership approach engaging various stakeholders and community partners was adopted by the Bureau in mounting a coordinated operation in the year. This resulted in the arrest of five transnational syndicate members involved in money laundering activities through corporate level e-mail scams.
In June, due to close co-operation with Mainland and Macao law enforcement partners, the Bureau neutralised an international credit card syndicate, arrested 19 syndicate members, raided two credit card manufacturing centres in the Mainland and seized a total of 2,360 counterfeit credit cards.
In a further demonstration of the close co-operation between the Bureau and its local and international partners, a two-day commercial crime conference co-hosted by the Hong Kong Police Force and the French National Police was held in September. The conference was attended by over 100 delegates from 19 different jurisdictions representing LEAs, Government agencies, banks and financial institutions.
A Commercial Crime Bureau officer points out the difference between counterfeit and genuine $1,000 banknotes.
The Director of International Cooperation Department of the French National Police, Mr Emile Perez (left), attends an international commercial crime conference held at Police Headquarters.
The Narcotics Bureau continues to tackle drug problems by combating illegal drug trafficking at different levels, and investigating and confiscating the proceeds of drug trafficking.
During the year, the Bureau sustained its strategic partnership with Mainland and overseas LEAs, the joint efforts of which resulted in the dismantling of two drug production sites in Asia and the seizure of 676.5 kilogrammes of illicit drugs.
Ketamine and Methamphetamine continued to be the most commonly abused drugs in Hong Kong. During the year, a total of 5,542 persons were arrested for drugs offences, of which those involved in Ketamine and Methamphetamine accounted for 35 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.
The emergence of new drugs has continued to present challenges to regulators and LEAs around the globe. Under the co-ordination of the Security Bureau, the Bureau regularly works with other stakeholders to devise timely and effective intervention strategies.
A Police dog searches for dangerous drugs.
The Narcotics Bureau organises a financial investigation course at Police Headquarters.
The Joint Financial Intelligence Unit (JFIU) and the Financial Investigations Division (FID) of the Narcotics Bureau remained committed to combating money laundering and terrorist financing activities. In 2013, a total of 134 persons were convicted of money laundering offences. The amount of criminal assets restrained and confiscated were $873 million and $684 million respectively.
JFIU took part in anti-money laundering seminars organised for financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions. Through its website and the publication of quarterly analyses, JFIU provided the public, regulators and suspicious transaction reporting entities with the latest information on money laundering.
The Bureau actively participated in international conferences of the Financial Action Task Force, the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, and organised two international financial investigation courses at Police Headquarters with the attendance of 68 participants from 13 jurisdictions and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
With a view to enhancing relationships with INTERPOL members, the Liaison Bureau arranged high-level visits to global strategic partners and Mainland Authorities, and collaborated with overseas LEAs by signing bilateral Memorandums of Understanding and Letters of Intent. The Bureau also participated in and organised INTERPOL activities and Mainland Public Security AuthoritiesÕ events.
During the year, the Force attended the 21st Bilateral Meeting since Reunification between Mainland Public Security Authorities and Hong Kong Police Force and the 19th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Tripartite Criminal Investigation Department Heads Meeting. In June, the Liaison Bureau organised the 1st INTERPOL Police Development Programme for National Central Bureaux in Asia and South Pacific, in which more than 50 representatives from 19 countries and regions participated. Following the hot-air balloon accident that occurred in Luxor, Egypt in February, in which nine Hong Kong residents lost their lives, the Bureau collaborated with the Egyptian authorities for investigation and follow-up actions.
Force management attends the 21st Bilateral Meeting since Reunification between Mainland Public Security Authorities and the Hong Kong Police Force in Shenzhen.
The Liaison Bureau organises the 1st INTERPOL Police Development Programme for National Central Bureaux in Asia and South Pacific.
The Identification Bureau (IB) continued to provide professional fingerprint examination, deoxyribonucleic acid collection and photographic services to the Force and other LEAs.
The Forensic Firearms Examination Division, subsumed in the IB this year, is dedicated to providing firearms related forensic services.
The Criminal Records Bureau continued to provide round-the-clock supportive services to frontline Police officers and other Government departments in regard to information available in the Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System.
The Child Protection Policy Unit maintained vigilance by formulating policy, procedures and training for the Force on Abusive Offences, which include child and elder abuse, and domestic, family and sexual violence. To maximise effectiveness, a multi-agency and cross-sectoral approach was utilised in pursuit of the twin goals of protecting victims and prosecuting offenders where appropriate.
During the year, the Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System continued to provide assistance to investigators in the efficient management of large quantities of information to improve the effectiveness of complex investigations.
The Crime Prevention Bureau continued to offer professional crime prevention advice through a wide range of publicity channels including leaflets for overseas visitors, media briefings, seminars, exhibitions on security equipment, as well as promotions through the Hong Kong Police Mobile Application, the Hong Kong Police YouTube Channel and the Internet. The Bureau also continued its partnership with the security industry to ensure that security companies and their security personnel provide quality service.
A Crime Prevention Bureau officer disseminates crime prevention messages to students.
The Witness Protection Unit continued to provide witness protection services in various forms for a number of diverse cases.
Counter Terrorism and Internal Security Division is responsible for the planning and implementation of Force-level policy matters relating to counter terrorism and internal security. The Division ensures the ForceÕs preparedness and maintains close liaison and co-ordination with other Government departments and agencies against the threat of terrorism.
As one of the ForceÕs special units for countering terrorism, the Counter Terrorism Response Unit of this division continued to provide protection at sensitive premises throughout the territory, including critical infrastructures, mass transportation systems and premises of significance. The Unit also participated in frequent joint training and exercises with other operational units to enhance its ability to respond to any terrorist attack.
The Force Search Unit continued to maintain a high level professional search capability in multiple environments in support of frontline operations. During the year, the UnitÕs Diploma Programme in Police Search and Venue Security was successfully revalidated and in addition a new Certificate Programme in Behaviour Observation Technique was validated by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. Both programmes were accredited at Qualifications Framework Level Three.
Force Search Unit officers complete the Diploma Programme in Police Search and Venue Security.
During the year, the Police Dog Unit comprised 72 patrol dogs (20 of them also trained with drug detection capabilities), 14 passive alert drug detection dogs, 14 drug detection and tracker dogs, and 17 explosive search dogs. The Unit organised a Police Dog Trial in November to engage the community and raise funds in support of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) and Operation Santa Claus.
A Police dog demonstrates search for explosives at the Police Dog Trial.
In order to support policing needs in various operations, Police Tactical Unit (PTU) Headquarters provides training to the Force on internal security, crowd management, public order and a range of tactical issues. PTU Headquarters has sought to evolve its training to meet the changing needs of the public order environment in Hong Kong. Emphasis is placed on the facilitation of peaceful protests, but also on swift and resolute action to curtail any public disorder.
During the year, PTU Headquarters not only provided additional manpower to support frontline units in handling various major operations, it also invited different community groups to watch the final rehearsals of the PTU CompaniesÕ Passing-out parade with the aim of strengthening the relationship between the Police and the community.
PTU Headquarters continued supporting the Operation Santa Claus, a charity event which aims at helping those in need in a joyful festive season. PTU Headquarters raised funds through contests, sales of donated items, a charity buffet lunch and collection of donations from different units in the Force.
Police Tactical Unit officers mount a search operation at a landfill site in a case that involves preventing the lawful burial of a body.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau is an operational unit with a major counter terrorist role. The Bureau is responsible for all bomb disposal work, including World War II munitions and all chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents that might occur on both dry land and underwater in Hong Kong.
During the year, a total of 86 incidents required EOD services. In March, the Bureau recovered a United States 2,000-pound aircraft bomb casing (free from explosives), the largest ever found in Hong Kong.
An Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer renders a 100-pound aircraft bomb safe with the assistance of the Abrasive Water Cutting System.
The Force Abseiling Cadre (FAC) supports frontline duties by tackling a range of Police tasks involving work at height situations or happening in unusual positions. During the year, five FAC members successfully obtained Police Officer Work at Height and Rescue Supervisor/Trainer and Work at Height Equipment Appreciation, Inspection and Storage Certificate from the Lyon Work & Rescue Training Institute in the United Kingdom. It is the first qualification to Force members on providing inspection service for all Police Work at Height equipment, which not only achieves continuous improvement in Police Work at Height profession, but also ensures reliability of life-protection equipment thus enhancing safety of involved frontline officers indeed.
Force Abseiling Cadre members receive regular training.
The Police Public Engagement Office (PPEO) was established in October 2012. It is responsible for establishing close communication and long-term working relationships with academics and different organisations. During the year, PPEO provided support to Police Community Relations Officers for early negotiation with different organsations and was responsible for on-site liaison during major public order events to facilitate communication and the peaceful conduct of such events.
Ten new members join the Briefing Support Unit.
The Briefing Support Unit is an integral part of the Force's counter terrorist response. The primary role of the Unit is to construct models to scale to support operational planning and briefing for terrorist incidents. The Unit contributed to the investigations and inquests of a number of major incidents in recent years.
During the year, the Unit recruited 10 new members, enabling the Unit to deploy its members more flexibly. Each of them possesses different technical skills and receives training in structural planning and drawing, as well as professional model building.
The Police Negotiation Cadre consists of a group of dedicated volunteer officers who are available round-the-clock as a secondary duty to respond to terrorist and criminal hostage incidents, undertake crisis intervention and assist in liaison work for major public order events.
To enhance its professionalism and international cooperation, the Cadre conducts regular joint exercises with other stakeholders, organises seminars with overseas professionals and sends members to attend overseas conferences and training.
The Cadre works in partnership with various non-governmental organisations and Government departments to organise crisis negotiation and suicide intervention workshops for social workers, school principals and supervisors as well as hospital executives and counsellors.
During the year, the Cadre partnered with the University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education to run the Post-graduate Diploma Programme in Public Order Studies (Crisis Negotiation) to enhance the personal and professional qualities of members.
The Police Negotiation Cadre and Airport District jointly organise a negotiation exercise.
The Force Escort Group (FEG) continued to support escort operations of a varying nature. During the year, FEG provided 1,318 man-days in escort operations that totalled 93 mobilisations of different nature, including escort of visiting VIPs, arms and ammunition as well as valuable properties. Besides, FEG organisd two Motorcycle VIP Escort Training courses, one of which was attended by three officers from the Singapore Police Force. Six FEG officers visited the Korean Police Force and the Victoria Police of Australia respectively to learn from overseas experience and to share best practice in escort tactics.
The Force Escort Group performs escort duty.
The Occupational Safety and Health Cadre consists of 28 members, each of whom is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. The CadreÕs primary responsibility is to provide risk assessment and risk management training to Force members in order to ensure Forcewide compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance. During the year, the Cadre provided training for over 400 Force members.
In order to keep up to date with the most recent developments in the area of occupational safety and health, Cadre members attended a series of local teaching seminars organised by the Occupational Safety and Health Council. They also attended conferences and seminars in the United Kingdom.
To enhance the transparency of processing public order events, the conditions imposed in respect of notifiable public order events were first uploaded to the Police Public Page in June 2012. In 2013, the Police Licensing Office uploaded the conditions for 784 public order events to the Police Public Page. The relevant information can also be accessed via the Hong Kong Police Mobile Application.
During the year, the Office arranged visits to liquor licensed premises for Liquor Licensing Board members and other relevant Government departments to update them on the situation regarding these premises. The Office also continued to work alongside with other Government departments to enhance the relevant licensing regime.
In 2013, the Office processed 64,060 security personnel permit applications, 119 massage establishment license applications, 216 pawnbroker license applications and 4,543 liquor license applications.
The Police Licensing Office provides competent and efficient service to members of the public.
The Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) continued to enlist public support in maintaining law and order by working in partnership with the media and the community. Information about Police activities was disseminated round-the-clock to local and overseas media. The first phase of the interactive electronic platform for disseminating information on unforeseen incidents to the media is expected to begin service in the financial year 2013-14. The PPRB also assisted the Fight Crime Committee in planning and implementing its publicity campaigns.
In March, the Police launched the Hong Kong Police YouTube Channel to enable the public to understand more about policing activities, crime prevention messages, and so on. The PPRB assisted local and overseas TV broadcasters and film-production companies in producing TV dramas, documentaries and films related to Police work, as well as liaising with other Government agencies in relation to location filming.
Police districts continued to organise various programmes to engage non-ethnic Chinese (NEC). Yau Tsim District and Yuen Long District respectively launched Project Gemstone and Project Himalaya to encourage NEC Junior Police Call members to join the Force and to provide them with relevant training, especially Chinese language. In addition, NEC residents were recruited in 14 Police districts as Police Community Liaison Assistants to assist in establishing a long-term Police-NEC relationship.
The PPRB plans to consolidate projects for the elderly in various Police districts into a single Senior Police Call scheme to enhance communication with the elderly and to promote crime prevention, personal and road safety for the elderly.
In 2013, 80 persons received awards under the PoliceÕs Good Citizen Award Scheme (sponsored by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce) to recognise their assistance to the Police in fighting crime.
The Police Public Relations Branch launches an interactive platform for disseminating information on unforeseen incidents to the media.
The Force continued to expand the environmentally friendly Police vehicle fleet. Following the successful conclusion of a two-year trial on the use of green B5 bio-diesel on selected fleet vehicles, the trial was expanded until mid-2015. The delivery of 69 new electric Police cars and 170 Police large vans with higher EURO V emission standards has been completed. The next delivery of 145 Police large vans with EURO VI emission standards will be completed in 2015. In addition, the Force is committed to taking another 52 electric motorcycles in 2014.
With a view to enhancing the PoliceÕs capability to combat drink driving, evidential breath test (EBT) devices were installed at all land region Police Stations in 2013. Additionally, DrŠger Alcotest 9510, an EBT device, has been installed in a Police vehicle specially designed and modified as a Mobile Breath Test Centre. This vehicle will assist the Police to secure evidence against drink driving at the earliest opportunity and will act as a deterrent to drink driving on the road.
Police Mobile Breath Test Centre
The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force plays an important role in supporting the regular ForceÕs frontline crowd management operations and beat patrol duties. In 2013, the Auxiliary Force continued to be strengthened with volunteers from all walks of life including fully-employed citizens and full-time university students. The Auxiliary Force now comprises 4,000 members of all ranks integrated with the regular Force.
Passing-out parade of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force
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