[Vision and Statement of Common Purpose and Values] [Foreword] [Operations]
[Regional Commanders' Report] [Personnel and Training]
[Management Services] [Finance, Administration and Planning]
[Environmental Report] [Organisation] [ Annexes, Crime Charts and Appendices ]

The number of violent and other serious crimes, the Force's primary operational target, decreased; in particular, robberies and burglaries dropped by 30.4 per cent and 22.9 per cent respectively. This decrease was in no small part due to the efforts of all Police officers at various levels. The number of instances in which firearms were used continued to remain at a low level, which once more demonstrated the vigilance of the Hong Kong Police.

In 2004, the crackdown against "quick cash" crimes (a major contributing factor to the rise in overall crimes in 2003) resulted not only in containment, but also in a significant reduction of such crimes by 8.3 per cent. This was due to positive steps taken through enforcement action and effective publicity campaigns to raise awareness within the community.

Investigation units at different tiers will continue the fight against serious and organised crime. Close attention will be given to drug abuse amongst youngsters as well as to boosting the Force's technology crime capability.

A sad note to the end of the year was the tragic tsunami natural disaster that occurred in December. Along with the rest of the community, the Police's heart went out to family members and friends of those people who went missing or lost their lives. We promptly assisted in locating missing Hong Kong citizens in Thailand and nearby countries and offered support services for affected individuals and their family members. To this end, the contingency plan for dealing with a major disaster was activated, including the utilisation of the Force's Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System (MIIDSS). In addition, over 60 Police officers, headed by a Chief Superintendent, were deployed to Thailand to join the Hong Kong SAR Support Team. The majority of these officers had been trained to handle disaster victim identification.

Organised Crime and Triads
Throughout 2004, the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) mounted a number of intelligence-based proactive operations to combat triads and criminals involved in syndicated activities such as armed robbery, human smuggling, theft of luxury vehicles, syndicated prostitution and illegal bookmaking. Of note was a lengthy operation carried out against a triad-run prostitution syndicate that used under-age girls to engage in illegal sexual services. In March, the operation resulted in the arrest of 500 persons, including 13 key members of the syndicate.

Criminal Intelligence
During the year, the Criminal Intelligence Bureau maintained a strategic approach to tackling serious crime and triads through the provision of analytical intelligence products and support services. Operationally, the Bureau initiated a series of very successful intelligence-led operations and worked in partnership with crime units at both headquarters and regional level to interdict such activities.

One of the many successes included a lengthy investigation into a highly prolific robbery gang that resulted in it being caught red-handed when attempting to hijack a lorry loaded with $10 million worth of watch components. An otherwise violent crime was prevented as the members of the gang were found in possession of two pistols and a quantity of ammunition.

Recognising the value of working in partnership with overseas agencies in sharing best practices, the Bureau co-hosted the 3rd Asia Region Heads of Criminal Intelligence Working Group with the Australian Federal Police. It was attended by the heads of intelligence of 19 law enforcement agencies from across the globe. During the year, the Bureau also enhanced its strategic intelligence capability through the provision of training for the Force. Two Strategic Intelligence Courses co-hosted with the Australian Federal Police and presenting guest lecturers from London's Metropolitan Police Service and Interpol gave the training an international dimension.

Commercial Crime
The Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) continues to take proactive action to prevent and detect syndicated and serious frauds, counterfeit and forgery cases as well as technology crime.

One of the most prominent cases that attracted the attention of the community was the successful detection and prosecution of three directors of a pyramid scheme-related company involving 15,000 victims and a loss of $300 million. Letter of credit fraud and Loco-London Gold fraud significantly declined. In 2004, the number of street deception reports dropped by 16.8 per cent following proactive enforcement action and publicity activities raising public awareness of this crime.

Other successes of the Bureau included the prosecution of the chairman of a listed company who, following investigation and legal proceedings that lasted for ten years, was convicted of two counts of "Publishing False Statement or Account" in November. This case illustrated the persistent determination of the Force and its cooperation with the Department of Justice in bringing such complicated cases to trial.

In June a tripartite operation between Hong Kong, Mainland and Macau successfully brought down a major cross-boundary syndicate which manufactured and distributed counterfeit $100 banknotes.

As a result of vigorous enforcement action, both the syndicated use of counterfeit credit cards in Hong Kong and the total losses incurred declined further in 2004.

Technology Crime Division continued working alongside their international counterparts in tackling cyber crime, which now has a truly transnational dimension. In November, Interpol in tandem with the US Centre for Missing and Exploited Children organised a "Computer Facilitated Crimes against Children" training conference in Hong Kong. In collaboration with the Interpol Asia South Pacific Working Party on IT Crime, two highly productive meetings were held in the Republic of Korea and Thailand during which issues relating to computer crime investigation and forensic examination were discussed.

CCB will continue to maintain strong working relations with relevant parties and will remain vigilant to new and developing fraud methodologies and emerging technology crime trends.

Narcotics
The trafficking and abuse of psychotropic substances was one of the Force's operational targets for the year. The number of persons arrested for psychotropic substance offences increased by 7.6 per cent in 2004 as compared to the preceding year. Ketamine and ecstasy-type tablets seizures increased in 2004. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the total amount of cocaine seized throughout the year. In one single case, over 30kgs of the drug were seized. This indicated a potentially expanding market in Hong Kong.

Psychotropic substance abuse remained a protracted problem. Police enhanced efforts in the area of drug abuse prevention, particularly in respect of young persons.

Cannabis buds emerged as a new drug to the local market in the early part of the year. Cases involving the processing of ketamine and relatively small-scale production of methamphetamine and crack cocaine were detected. The involvement of ethnic minorities in drug trafficking, especially cannabis resin, also became a focus of attention in 2004. The involvement of African nationals in trafficking drugs to Hong Kong surfaced towards the end of the year.

Narcotics Bureau (NB) has been working closely with Mainland and overseas counterparts to disrupt drug supplies. The interdiction of the supply of drugs as close to the source as possible remains a priority.

Financial Investigation
The Police's financial investigation capability in OCTB and NB was united under one roof in 2004 and numerous complex financial investigations were conducted. Apart from confiscating drug proceeds and prosecuting money launderers, the Financial Investigation Division of NB spared no efforts in fulfilling its role in international initiatives against money laundering and terrorist financing. It continued to work closely with local financial regulators and relevant stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of the financial systems of Hong Kong.

Crime Prevention
The Crime Prevention Bureau (CPB) promotes the principles of self-protection through the provision of target-specific advice to a wide range of individual corporations and professional trade bodies. The 3rd Generation Crime Prevention Robotcop produced together with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology was launched in March. In October, together with the Hong Kong Association of Banks, CPB launched a point-of-sale awareness campaign, targeting credit card fraud in jewellery and goldsmith shops.

Liaison
The Liaison Bureau is the Force interface for cooperation with both the Mainland Police authorities, as well as overseas law enforcement agencies via the Interpol network. The year 2004 saw a further strengthening in the ties between the Force and its strategic partners worldwide.

Collaboration with the Interpol Secretariat General resulted in the Force co-hosting two international conferences in Hong Kong during the year on the implementation of the new Interpol Communications Network I-24/7 and on Computer Facilitated Crimes Against Children. The Force currently has an officer seconded to the Interpol Secretariat General in Lyon, France, and in early 2005, the Force will post an officer to Interpol's office in Bangkok, Thailand.

Forensic Support
The Identification Bureau (IB) provides key scientific support services for fingerprint and DNA evidence, together with the necessary photographic recording and related services. IB is committed to exploring technological advances to its advantage. With the application of advanced technologies in processing fingerprint evidence, the Bureau has efficiently and effectively established the criminal history of almost 70,000 individuals and linked nearly 1,800 persons to 1,580 crime cases.

Technological advances in DNA technology have significantly contributed to the forensic identification of persons. The DNA database containing DNA profiles of both convictees and volunteers has been growing steadily and an increasing number of "cold hits" have been achieved.

During the year, exchange visits with Mainland and Macau counterparts continued to bear fruit for enhanced cooperation. The Bureau conducted training courses, as requested by the Mainland and Macau counterparts, in updated fingerprint detection technologies; this will be an ongoing feature of developing cooperation in the region.

The Forensic Firearms Examination Bureau (FFEB) continued to play a forensic role in the investigation of firearm-related crimes. In addition, the FFEB continued to maintain forensic cooperation with the Mainland and Macau for promoting investigation efficiency of cross boundary crimes involving the use of firearms.

Abuse and Domestic Violence
Child Protection Policy Unit formulates policy and other matters pertaining to child abuse and domestic violence. In addition, it deals with policy matters in relation to sexual violence, elder abuse, juvenile crime and child pornography.

Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System (MIIDSS)
MIIDSS is a system that assists investigations by managing information in a major incident. The most notable application of the system was in conjunction with the health authorities during the outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong between April and June 2003 when the computer tool helped to track down SARS contacts and locations. More recently, immediately after the tsunami disaster that occurred in December, MIIDSS assisted in the identification of potential Hong Kong victims in Thailand and nearby countries.

Police Tactical Unit
Police Tactical Unit (PTU) officers are drawn from all Regions and trained at the PTU Headquarters in Fanling. Emphasis is placed on physical, leadership, crowd management and control, anti-crime and internal security training. PTU also provides an immediate manpower reserve for use in any emergency including man-made and natural disasters throughout Hong Kong.

In 2004, PTU officers were vital in the safe conduct of a number of major public events, including the 7th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR, the July 1 Public Procession and the Lunar New Year Night Float Parade. Training staff from PTU Headquarters also visited police units in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom with a view to enhancing and refining officers' tactical skills in public order and internal security.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau is at the forefront of the Force's preparedness for counter terrorist incidents involving explosives or Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) agents. The Bureau's capability is greatly enhanced by the EOD Cadre, a group of part time volunteers, who are trained in improvised explosive device disposal. The Cadre receives ongoing training and is called back to help the Bureau regularly, for example during VIP visits. As part of the ongoing counter terrorist exchange programme, officers from the Bureau visited and were visited by similar units in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. The Bureau will continue to enhance its intelligence network with bomb data centres around the world.

The EOD Bureau also provides less obvious services to the community and the Force, e.g., dealing with improvised explosive devices in Hong Kong, and WWII munitions which are still routinely found. The Bureau also has a heavy training commitment.

Counter Terrorism
The Force continued to strengthen Hong Kong's security against terrorism during 2004 through liaison with Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies. In collaboration with the Security Bureau, Marine Department and other Government departments and private sector interests, the Force has achieved its aim of making the port of Hong Kong fully compliant with the security requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. Frequent operations to test security at Hong Kong International Airport were conducted with regular security reviews coordinated with representatives of the airport community. In addition, a tripartite cross-boundary counter terrorism exercise was conducted in November, involving the Hong Kong Police Force, Guangdong Public Security Bureau and the Macau Police Force.

Illegal Immigration
There has been an overall downward trend since 1993 on illegal immigration from the Mainland. During the year, 2,899 illegal immigrants were arrested by Police, an average of eight per day, representing a decrease of 24 per cent as compared to 3,809 in 2003.

Close liaison in the form of regular meetings and exchange of intelligence was maintained with the Guangdong Border Defence Bureau which has been working in partnership with the Force in preventing cross-boundary crimes. Whole section of the border fence is now monitored round-the-clock with the use of advanced technical equipment to intercept illegal immigrants from the Mainland.

Force Search Unit and Police Dog Unit
The Force Search Unit is responsible for developing professional search capabilities. In 2004, the Unit successfully conducted search operations for major events including Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, PAN Pearl River Delta Regional Cooperation and Development Forum, and the visit of the President of France.

In addition to patrol dogs, the Police Dog Unit has "sniffer" dogs that possess search capabilities for drugs, firearms and explosives. The "sniffer" dogs worked closely with the Force Search Cadre in crime scene search, and in defensive search operation in major events in Hong Kong.

Transport
In 2004, new motorcycles were procured as a replacement for some 50 per cent of the large motorcycle fleet. On the other hand, vehicle-related occupational safety and health training was expanded to further enhance the safety awareness, skill and professionalism of the Force's transport users.

Traffic
2004 saw Hong Kong register 307 vehicles per kilometre of road, one of the highest vehicle densities in the world, with the number of registered vehicles standing at around 590,000, the majority being private cars. Given these volumes, reducing the number of traffic accidents and maintaining a smooth traffic flow remains one of the Force's priorities. Although there was a minimal increase in the number of traffic accidents and associated casualties in 2004, the number of traffic accident-related fatalities (of which half were pedestrians) dropped by 17.8 per cent, a significant reduction as compared to 2003.

In 2004, the Force adopted a multi-agency approach, together with various road safety organisations and Government departments in promoting community awareness of road safety. The Force organised a wide range of publicity activities targeting different road user groups, with the Hong Kong Road Safety Vision of "Zero Accidents on the Road".

On the enforcement side, the Force continued to take stringent action against offences relating to undesirable driving behaviour. In order to strengthen Police enforcement capabilities, in May, an additional 12 digital red light cameras and eight digital speed enforcement cameras were put into operation.

2004 saw an 11.8 per cent increase in the overall number of traffic contraventions over 2003. Fixed Penalty Tickets issued for moving offences and parking offences increased by 16.1 per cent and 9.1 per cent respectively, whilst the number of summonses issued also increased by 8.9 per cent as compared to 2003.

Licensing
Following on from the Code of Practice, designed in 2003 for Internet Computer Game Centres operators to provide safe and crime free venues, joint random checks with stakeholder departments of these centres were undertaken in 2004. These were specifically intended to ensure the responsible management and lawful conduct of such places.

An additional entry path was provided in April 2004 for persons wishing to join the security industry. They can now apply for security personnel permits if they have successfully completed a training course that has met the requirements of a quality assurance scheme as endorsed by the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority. During the year, the Police Licensing Office approved some 55,700 applications, rejected 290 applications and revoked approximately 540 permits.

Public Relations
The Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) plays a vital role in informing the public of the work of the Police in order to project a positive image of the Force. At the same time it enlists the public's support in the maintenance of law and order via a proactive community relations programme.

Police Community Relations Officers attached to different districts work closely with representatives from Government departments and organisations to keep the public well informed of Police policies and operational priorities.

Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force
The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF) consists of approximately 4,100 officers, who come from all walks of life. Their major roles include crowd management, key point defence, the manning of command and control centres, and station defence. As in previous years, HKAPF members continued to provide strong support to their regular counterparts during the festive periods, at public meetings and during other major crowd management events. The HKAPF receives intensive and modern training to enable it to perform its major role of providing consistent and integrated support to the regular Police Force.