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EU NTN
To raise frontline officers’ counter-terrorism (CT) awareness and their command and control ability in response to terrorist attacks, the Emergency Unit of New Territories North (EU NTN) conducted a CT exercise codenamed “STORMSHIELD” on August 17.
The exercise simulated an attack launched by three self-radicalised culprits who set fire at a joint-school event and attacked victims with firearms and knives. Officers of EU NTN, the Counter Terrorism Response Unit (CTRU) and Yuen Long District swiftly arrived at the scene and subdued two culprits by Immediate Tactical Intervention tactics. The scenario was later developed into a hostage-taking situation, where the Police Negotiation Cadre, CTRU and EU NTN successfully resolved the crisis. Medic Cadre of EU NTN also provided medical treatment to the seriously injured persons, while Quick Reaction Force of NTN set up an Affected Person Reception Centre to facilitate rescue work and intelligence gathering.
More than 100 officers took part in the exercise, and over 60 members of Police Mentorship Programme and Project ACHIEVE acted as victimised students to respond with the CT concept of “Run, Hide, Report”. The exercise not only enhanced the preparedness and interoperability of participating units in handling terrorist incidents, but also increased the participants’ CT knowledge.
TMDIST
Tuen Mun District (TMDIST), with the support of the Emergency Unit of New Territories North, organised an internal security exercise under “Project SHIELD” at River Trade Terminal (RTT) on September 10, with a view to enhancing officers’ emergency response capability.
The exercise simulated a scenario in which an armed trespasser attempted to attack critical infrastructures at RTT using explosives due to a labour dispute. Police officers successfully located and subdued the trespasser before he staged an attack. They also swiftly located the explosives after conducting a thorough sweeping, thus preventing casualties and economic loss.
The exercise not only enhanced the readiness and response capabilities of TMDIST and other units in handling attacks on critical infrastructures, but also raised the public’s awareness of counter-terrorism.
EDIST
To prepare for future major police operations, Eastern District (EDIST) conducted a Major Incidents and Counter-Terrorism (CT) Workshop on September 14 for officers of the rank of Inspector and above.
The workshop was hosted by District Operations Officer of EDIST Wu Man-yee. Participants were briefed by EDIST officers on Force policies and command structures for major incidents and terrorist incidents, roles of the District, and functions of a Forward Control Point and first responders. Representatives from the Force’s specialised CT units, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, the Police Negotiation Cadre, the Special Duties Unit, the Counter Terrorism Response Unit and the Railway Response Team, also talked about their respective responsibilities and how District or Divisional officers can provide assistance to them. Participants also actively took part in group discussions and simulated exercises.
The workshop raised participants’ readiness in responding to major incidents and terrorist attacks, and enhanced their understanding of their command roles and responsibilities.
RAILDIST
Railway District (RAILDIST) conducted a joint counter-terrorism (CT) exercise, codenamed “STUDYCHECK”, with the Mass Transit Railway Corporation Limited (MTRC) and the Aviation Security Company Limited (AVSECO) at MTR Hong Kong Station on September 18. Counter Terrorism Response Unit (CTRU), Emergency Unit of Hong Kong Island (EU HKI) and Central District (CDIST) also took part in the exercise.
The exercise simulated a terrorist attack at the in-town check-in counter area of Hong Kong Station, where the AVSECO Contingency Response Unit was performing access control duty with the assistance of RAILDIST and MTRC. EU HKI arrived at the scene and subdued some of the terrorists. At the same time, Railway Response Team and CTRU conducted a sweeping on the platform and in the train compartment, and subsequently subdued the remaining terrorists. Afterwards, explosives detection dogs of the AVSECO Canine Unit discovered explosives in an unattended suitcase on the platform.
The exercise enabled the Force and relevant stakeholders to enhance their capabilities in handling terrorist attacks in the railway system as well as strengthening their communication and collaboration.
