Hong Kong Island (HKI), together with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, conducted an inter-departmental counter-terrorism (CT) exercise codenamed PURPLEFLAME at the Hong Kong City Hall (City Hall) on July 19. The exercise simulated that several terrorists broke into City Hall during a large celebration and launched a terrorist attack. Officers swiftly attended the scene, made immediate tactical intervention, subdued the terrorists, rescued the citizens, evacuated members of the public in a safe and orderly manner and resolved the crisis.

The exercise was participated by more than 200 officers from HKI’s Operations Wing, Emergency Unit and Police Tactical Unit, as well as regular and auxiliary officers of Central District. Officers from the Counter Terrorism Response Unit and members of the Police Mentorship Programme also joined the exercise. In addition, the head and members of the delegation of the Volunteer Special Constabulary of the Singapore Police Force, together with the Chairman of the District Fight Crime Committee (Wan Chai District) (WCDFCC) Mr Yeung Ka-shing and members of the WCDFCC, arrived at the scene to observe the exercise and visit the new mobile command post to better understand the Force’s work in CT and crisis management.

Officers of Counter Terrorism Response Unit perform tactical intervention to subdue terrorists in the exercise.