To
reduce the prevalence of unlicensed dealing in mobile phones, crime
officers and the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) mounted
a joint operation in October and December 2000, which resulted in some 20
people being arrested and charged. As a consequence, all 98 unlicensed
shops in the Region quickly applied for valid licences and illegal trading
activity has been contained to small scale operations among several mobile
hawkers.
International
Airport
Thirty
months after the new Hong Kong International Airport opened at Chek Lap
Kok, Airport District now looks after a workforce of about 45 000 people
and some 91 500 travellers who pass through the airport each day. The team
made up of officers from Uniform Branch, Crime and the Airport Security
Unit has created a remarkably crime-free environment that is the envy of
other major international airports. Reported crime dropped significantly
from 445 cases in 1999 to 351 in 2000. Meanwhile, detection rates have
risen significantly from 26.9 per cent in 1999 to a creditable 40.7 per
cent in 2000.
Airport District conducted a considerable number of large scale policing
operations throughout the year and its readiness to handle emergency
situations was successfully tested in the annual 'Aircrash Exercise Chek
Lap Kok 2000' and in reality in the evening of July 31, 2000, when a man
armed with an imitation firearm boarded an aircraft and took one hostage.
The Police mounted a major incident response that resulted in a negotiated
release of the hostage and the surrender of the culprit. He was
subsequently jailed for five years. The rapid and decisive police
response, resulting in a peaceful resolution of the incident without
injury to either the hostage or culprit, received wide praise.
Traffic
In
2000, resources and manpower of Traffic NTS were deployed mainly to Tuen
Mun Road, Tsing Ma Control Area, North Lantau Highway, Container Port
Road, Tai Po Road and Tolo Highway. High profile traffic policing and a
series of overt traffic operations helped reduce offences and accidents.
Areas identified as accident blackspots were given wide publicity and
on-street police presence, resulting in fewer accidents and casualties.
Particular attention is paid to maintaining smooth traffic flow along the
network of roads and bridges serving the airport. Traffic police conduct
regular anti-speeding operations along North Lantau Highway, and their
high-profile presence has resulted in a comparatively low traffic accident
rate along this route.
The most concentrated traffic volume continued to be around Kwai Chung
Container Port, where the daily average gate movement at the terminals
stood at 30 506 ¡X some 5.2 per cent more than in 1999.
Marine
Region
Marine
police continued to play a key role in combating illegal immigration and
smuggling operations. The Region again improved its operational efficiency
and delivery of service by enhancing existing navigational equipment and
communication systems and by introducing advanced and modern vessels into
its Fleet.
New
Vessels
During
the year, the Region took delivery of six high-speed inshore patrol craft
fitted with twin waterjet propulsion units capable of a speed of 35 knots.
Meanwhile, construction has started on the first two of six vessels to
replace the ageing Damen MK I police patrol launches.
Communications
As
part of ongoing upgrades of equipment, the Region is in the process of
commissioning a new TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) digital radio
communications system to replace the analogue VHF network. The Voice
Sub-System went live in October 2000 whilst the Automatic Vessel Location
Sub-System and the Messaging Sub-System are scheduled to commence
operation in mid-2001. Once the entire system is operational, the marine
police will be equipped with one of the most sophisticated communications
networks available.
Exercises
Marine
police continued to strengthen relations and cooperation with its
counterparts in Guangdong to help counter smuggling and illegal
immigration activities. A joint cross-border exercise was held in April
2000.
In addition to the numerous maritime safety awareness campaigns and crime
prevention initiatives organised by various units, the Region participated
in a joint maritime safety campaign with the Marine Department in June
2000.
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