Police response to planned protests by taxi and PLB trades

In response to the announcement by representatives from the taxi and public light bus (PLB) trades that they would conduct 'wildcat' protest action starting from next week, a police spokesman said today (August 5) that the protestors should carry out their protest action peacefully as they had undertaken to do so.

"Police have been maintaining regular contact with representatives of the transport trades, and have today been in touch with the organiser of next week's planned protests to clarify his intentions," the spokesman said.

"We have been assured by the organiser that participants will fully comply with Public Order laws, and do not intend to disrupt or otherwise cause inconvenience to other road users or members of the public," he said.

"The organiser has nevertheless been reminded of his legal obligations under the Public Order Ordinance, and advised that provided protest participants' activities remain lawful, Police will make every effort to facilitate their actions to minimise disruption to the public."

"Police are committed to protecting the freedom of expression and will do our best to facilitate such activity provided it is conducted in a peacefully and orderly manner," he said.

Regarding the light goods van (LGV) activities at the Airport, the spokesman said Police would continue to take specific enforcement action to prevent and disrupt all forms of illegal transportation activity, whether it involved LGVs, taxis or private cars.

"Both uniform and plainclothes deployments are conducted on a regular basis, and vehicles suspected of unlawfully carrying passengers are intercepted for further enquiries," he said.

Citing the latest figure, the spokesman said that last month (July) over 460 operations were conducted by the Police against all forms of touting and illegal carriage of passengers, resulting in seven arrests for 'Offering Services in the Airport Without Permission of the Airport Authority' and three arrests for 'Carriage of Passengers for Hire or Reward'.

"Such action will continue," he stressed.

In conjunction with the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau, Transport Department and the Airport Authority, publicity at the Airport has also been stepped up to highlight the risk of operating or using illegal transport facilities.

Police have been actively pursuing additional initiatives with other relevant departments and organisation to further hinder illegal transport activities. These include a designated LGV drop-off/pick-up point away from the Airport terminal, and restricting access into Airport car parks to private cars only.


Police Report No.4

Issued by PPRB

End/Saturday, August 5, 2006