[ Foreword ] [ Memorable Events ] [ The Hand of Partnership ] [ Operations ] [ Regional Commanders' Report ] [ Personnel and Training ]
[ Management Services ]
[ Finance, Administration and Planning ] [ Environmental Report ] [ Organisation ]
[ Appendices ]
In 2018, the Regions continued to devote their efforts to upholding the rule of law, maintaining law and order, and serving Hong Kong society with pride and care. The concerted efforts of the Force to fight crime were enhanced through initiatives by which it engaged with different sectors of the community and participated in multi-agency partnerships. A series of publicity campaigns and educational programmes were also launched with the aim of enhancing public awareness of crime prevention and road safety.
The overall crime rate in the Hong Kong Island Region remained stable throughout 2018. Some quick cash crimes, such as shop theft and miscellaneous theft, recorded significant decreases.
The Region's efforts to engage with all sectors of the community continued in 2018. With the co-operation of various stakeholders and service providers, Project SCAM DEFENDER was launched to disseminate the latest anti-deception messages for crime prevention. With the support of the Lan Kwai Fong Association and local outlets, the Lan Kwai Fong Guardian Charter was established with a view to preventing and controlling crime and ensuring the safety and property of visitors.
Large-scale infrastructure development projects, such as the Mass Transit Railway's (MTR) Shatin to Central Link and the Central-Wan Chai Bypass, created challenges for traffic management during the year. The Region's officers continued to adopt a multi-agency approach to strengthen co-operation with relevant stakeholders in traffic issues, while working tirelessly to ensure the safety of all road users, maintain smooth traffic flows and pave the way for the opening of the new MTR stations and Central-Wan Chai Bypass.
The Emergency Unit, Hong Kong Island held its Open Day at Caine House, the Hong Kong Island Regional Headquarters. Thousands of visitors from all walks of life attended. The Open Day not only enhanced public understanding of the Police Force, but also helped display a positive image of the Force to the community.
Super typhoon Mangkhut resulted in significant damage to Hong Kong in September. The rural areas were particularly badly hit. Officers from all formations worked diligently to defend the community and render emergency services to its citizens. In the aftermath, officers helped clear countless fallen tree branches on the road with a view to restoring the community to normal as soon as possible.
Partnership with traffic stakeholders on the commission of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass.
After the passage of super typhoon Mangkhut, officers strived to clear countless fallen tree branches on the roads with a view to restoring the community to normal as soon as possible.
The Marine Police is responsible for maintaining law and order throughout the 1,648 square kilometres of waters in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), including its many outlying islands, and for ensuring the integrity of its 191 kilometre-long sea boundary.
The Police Launch Simulation System, which was the first ship simulation system in Hong Kong to provide scenarios with a 360-degree display, was launched in February. It allows Marine Police officers to experience various visibility levels, weather conditions and sea conditions and to test their decision-making skills in critical situations in the safe and controlled environment of a training room.
In May, to raise awareness of the need for environmental protection and animal care, officers of the Marine Region and JPC members joined other volunteers to remove 1,300 kg of rubbish from Sham Wan Beach on Lamma Island, the only regular nesting site of green turtles in Hong Kong.
In September, the Marine Region hosted its first Community Engagement Day at its headquarters. Over 300 members of the maritime community enjoyed activities such as demonstrations by the Small Boat Division and the Police Launch Simulation System and a tour of a maritime relics exhibition. The visitors gained a better understanding of the training, work and capabilities of the Marine Police.
When super typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong in September, a police launch was deployed for a search and rescue mission under Typhoon Signal No. 10. Four men were found adrift with their sinking yacht. With the support of other crewmembers, officers jumped into the sea and successfully rescued them. As many areas in Hong Kong were devastated by the typhoon, volunteers from the Marine Police visited a number of outlying islands to clear the roads and help residents resume their normal lives.
In November, the Marine Police, together with other Government departments and a ship management company, conducted an inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise that simulated a hostage scenario on a turbojet ferry cruising off the China Ferry Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui. The exercise successfully tested and enhanced the command and inter-operability of the participating units.
Forced boarding demonstration by Small Boat Division at Marine Region Community Engagement Day.
2018 was a fruitful year for Kowloon East Region, which saw a continued downward trend in the crime rate. In addition to various community policing initiatives, a new counter-terrorism unit was launched in Railway District.
The 5.4 per cent decrease in overall reported crimes in the Region is attributable in part to the strategic and concerted action in combatting burglaries, robberies and other key crimes. During the year, Sai Kung Division, Wong Tai Sin District and Tseung Kwan O District recruited over 830 crime fighting ambassadors from local villages to help disseminate crime alerts in their neighbourhoods and boost villagers' awareness of home security. Tseung Kwan O District's Project SYNERGY enlisted the partnership of property management companies of housing estates and shopping malls to tackle burglaries, objects fallen from height cases and debt collection-related offences.
The Region maintained its Force-wide role in combatting telephone deception by proactively engaging with multiple stakeholders. Through social media-based collaborations with three Government mascots, Big Waster, Water Save Dave and Keep Clean Ambassador Ah Tak, the reach of anti-telephone deception messages was extended to the younger generation. To enhance public vigilance, a Force-wide Anti-Telephone Deception Week Kick-off Ceremony was held in June to disseminate anti-telephone deception tips.
Engaging the wider community remains a key focus in the Region, particularly engaging youth and senior citizens. Project HAPPY TEENS inspires young people to develop a positive mind-set and to form connections with the community through various events such as sports days, music festivals and community days. Operations Wing Kowloon East also invited senior citizens to play the role of simulated spectators in Exercise AIMHIGH to raise their awareness of terrorist attacks. Operation BOLTRUNNER and Project SOLE GOOD, organised by Operations Wing Kowloon East, Joint Hands to Road Safety, run by Traffic Kowloon East, and Projects GREEN SEEDLING and HARMONIOUS PYRAMID in Sau Mau Ping District also contributed to the Region's thriving community policing engagement programme.
To enhance the Force's overall counter-terrorism preparedness and readiness, a new Railway Response Team, consisting of a team of specially trained officers, was implemented in Railway District in December. This dedicated team conducts regular patrols in MTR stations and provides an immediate tactical response to serious incidents, including those related to terrorism, in the railway system.
The Anti-Telephone Deception Week Kick-off Ceremony held in June 2018.
Kowloon East Region Community Day cum Police Family Day held joyfully in Wong Tai Sin Police Station on November 3.
The overall crime rate in Kowloon West Region decreased slightly in 2018. Violent crime remained stable, whereas burglary, shop theft and theft from vehicle significantly decreased.
The 140 kilometre-long Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL), connecting Hong Kong to the Mainland, commenced operation on September 23. The West Kowloon Station Team is responsible for policing the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station (WKS), the terminus of the Hong Kong section of the XRL. The WKS Reporting Centre started operation on September 3 and interdepartmental exercises and special traffic arrangement plans were conducted in advance.
The Region continued to use community partnerships to help prevent and detect crimes. Project VANGUARD, which strengthens the Force's intelligence and communication networks, was extended to banks and retail shops.
Since 2015, the Yau Ma Tei Outreach Team has been using We Love Yau Tsim outreach activities to share anti-crime messages with local and ethnic minority youths on the street at night. In partnership with local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Christian Action, Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service and Hong Kong Nepalese Federation, the team conducts activities such as distributing anti-crime leaflets, organising football and basketball competitions and arranging visits to ethnic minority associations, various Police units and the Police Museum.
Project MAMA, organised by the Sham Shui Po District, helps ethnic minority women integrate into local society and disseminate crime prevention messages to their families. So far, more than 100 ethnic minority women have participated in this project and more than 30 police volunteers have been recruited to assist in organising parenting and cultural activities such as a Chinese handicraft workshop and cooking competitions.
To proactively address road order and safety, Kowloon City District implemented the Road Safety Protocol on Receiving Tourists initiative. Supported by the Kowloon City District Council and other Government departments, protocol stakeholders including restaurants, retail shops, coach companies, and cruise and travel agencies are working closely with the Police to ensure their employees adhere to the laws of Hong Kong and the rights of the local community. The protocol has had a visible impact and will be expanded throughout the local community.
The Road Safety Team has launched several projects to raise public awareness of road safety, particularly for the elderly. The Visit the Elderly at Morning Tea Project has members visiting the elderly at two Chinese restaurants every Friday morning to disseminate road safety messages. The team also organised Road Safety Fun Fun Day for school children, in which a mini Road Safety Town was temporarily set up in school playgrounds, and different scenarios were used to educate students in the correct use of road safety facilities.
The Police Dragon Boat Club held a Charitable Dragon Boat Race in 2017 to raise funds for charities, including the Hong Kong Mucopolysaccharidoses and Rare Genetic Diseases Mutual Aid Group. As a token of their appreciation, between March and May 2018, patients in the group together with wall painters, parents, doctors, volunteers, JPC members and officers of Mong Kok District painted a dragon boat on the exterior wall of Mong Kok Police Station. The painting illustrates the theme 'Together we sail with all races, the physically challenged and able-bodied, sparing no effort to uphold the law and fight crime'.
Officers of Traffic Kowloon West conducting an exercise to simulate a major traffic accident outside the West Kowloon Station.
Cooking MAMA Competition draws the participation of about 50 ethnic minority women and their children.
In 2018, the New Territories South Region continued to work towards the Force's Strategic Action Plan 2016-18 objectives, including maintaining public order and public safety, and preventing and detecting crime. The Region recorded a decrease of 289 reported crime cases, or a decline of 3.2 per cent when compared with 2017, with drops recorded in quick cash crime (down by 12.8 per cent), burglary (down by 12.4 per cent) and violent crime (4.4 per cent).
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) was opened in October, connecting the region to the Mainland and to Macao. Lantau District established the HZMB Police Base to provide policing coverage, and regional traffic wing developed strategic enforcement and emergency plans to ensure a smooth flow of traffic along the new major link roads. Meanwhile, Airport District was recognised for its services to the public at the international airport. The District also continued to share its experience and good practices with its overseas counterparts to enhance aviation security.
Engaging the community remained a priority for the Region, and partnerships with local organisations and individuals expanded. Sha Tin District launched Project HALF SKY with an aim to prevent crimes and provide early interventions on crimes against women. With the support of the JPC Honorary Presidents, a scholarship scheme was established in Kwai Tsing District to encourage academic achievements and all-round development of JPC members and to promote the JPC Scheme within the community.
To assist the elderly, the Region ran multi-agency projects in collaboration with NGOs and other community groups. Project HOPE uses a mixture of education and referrals to help community members stay away from crime and to deter repeat offenders. Project SHINE uses training, publicity and innovative technology to enhance awareness about the risk of elderly and dementia sufferers being reported missing.
Improving regional road safety was another priority. Sha Tin District extended its highly successful initiatives to promote safe-cycling with Project SMART RIDER 2018. Furthermore, the Shatin Road Safety Park was recently revamped and transformed into an interactive theme park for the community. The use of innovative technology such as augmented reality has proved to be very popular.
A joint departmental exercise at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port.
A press conference reporting on the effectiveness of Project HOPE was held on September 30.
In 2018, New Territories North recorded a decrease of 4.4 per cent in overall crime, with significant drops in robbery (down by 38 per cent) and burglary (down by 7.8 per cent)
The Region continued to collaborate closely with local community sectors to further crime prevention initiatives and public safety. At mid-year and year-end reviews, different units presented their crime prevention and detection achievements, providing the public with valuable insights into the results of these collaborations. The modus operandi of prevalent crimes and related prevention tips were disseminated to the public.
In its fight against drug trafficking activities, the Region seized over 350 kg of dangerous drugs and apprehended more than 300 drug traffickers, couriers or abusers. The Region also mounted a wide array of proactive crime control operations and community engagement initiatives targeting triads who exploit vulnerable groups.
To reduce traffic accidents and congestion, the Region launched Project DRIVE HOME in early 2018. With the concerted effort of officers at the Regional, District and Divisional levels, a significant drop (more than 31 per cent) was seen in fatal and serious traffic accidents compared to the previous three years.
Super typhoon Mangkhut ravaged the territory on September 16 and 17. Braving the adverse weather and arduous work environment, officers displayed utmost professionalism in various emergency operations, bringing vulnerable residents to temporary shelters at the height of the typhoon and quickly clearing roads blocked by fallen trees in the aftermath.
Officers of Traffic New Territories North conducted a stringent anti-speeding operation to deter drivers from speeding.
Officers of Border District helped evacuate elderly persons from an elderly home to a temporary shelter before the attack of super typhoon Mangkhut.
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