Airport Security
In 2000, the first of what will be regular exercises was held to test the effectiveness of the Airport Security Programme. The exercise involved dedicated teams attempting to infiltrate secure areas of the new airport.

Illegal Immigration
The Force is responsible for policing the Hong Kong side of the land and sea boundaries with the Mainland to prevent illegal immigration. Such traffic has declined steadily since 1993, and in the year under review, Police caught only 7 631 illegal immigrants (IIs) — 28 per cent less than the 10 544 in 1999. The 561 IIs arrested in June also marked the lowest monthly total in 10 years.

Among those detained, 42 per cent claimed to have entered Hong Kong by sea and 58 per cent by crossing the land boundary. Although hiding underneath container trucks remains a commonly used tactic by the land crossers, the number of such arrests decreased 34 per cent in 2000. Stringent measures have been taken to tackle the problem, including a new device to detect stowaways.

Close liaison and exchange of intelligence on II activities with the Guangdong Border Defence Bureau (GDBDB) has continued to be effective in combating illegal immigration. As part of our coordinated activities along the boundary, the Hong Kong Police and GDBDB forces successfully held a joint exercise in April 2000 to test readiness for any sudden outbreak of border incidents.

Vietnamese Illegal Immigrants
During the year, 578 Vietnamese illegal immigrants (VIIs) were arrested, 39 per cent less than in 1999. The Force escorted 560 VIIs back to Vietnam under the Orderly Repatriation Programme.

Anti-Smuggling
The Force has continued to work very closely with the Mainland authorities in the fight against smuggling. Through improved exchange of intelligence, regular liaison and good cooperation, enforcement action became more coordinated and effective during the past year. High profile joint cross-boundary exercises and real operations proved to be a significant deterrent. Helped by the commissioning of a fleet of high-speed pursuit craft, the level of smuggling activities along the boundary has dropped substantially.

Traffic
The task of maintaining a smooth traffic flow and reducing accidents is a major challenge for traffic police in Hong Kong, which has one of the highest vehicle densities anywhere in the world — reaching 306 per km in 2000. The improvement in the economy resulted in a monthly increase of 662 vehicles registered for use on the road, the majority of which were private cars, bringing the total to 582 141.

Accidents and Road Safety
Despite the increase in vehicle registrations and population, traffic accidents rose only marginally in 2000, while fatalities, at 171, were the lowest for more than 40 years. Stringent enforcement action is taken to deter offences that cause accidents, particularly speeding, erratic driving and disobeying traffic signals. Legislative support came during the year when the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving was banned and restrictions were imposed on newly qualified motorcyclists.

To assist traffic police in catching violators, the Force is equipping 15 motorcycles with video systems and has installed a further five in-car systems to its patrol car fleet. Other new equipment includes six laser speed detection digital cameras and 10 extra sets of the latest long-range speed laser gun. Two additional automatic speed enforcement cameras will be set up at strategic points along major highways to deter speeding and dangerous driving.

To meet tighter drink driving legislation imposed in October 1999, all traffic officers are now qualified to take breathalyser tests of suspected drivers. A further 340 alcohol screening devices were brought into use during the year.

Traffic Branch Headquarters also plays an important role in coordinating education and publicity in respect of road safety. The Road Safety Unit provides secretariat support to the Road Safety Council and its Campaign Committee, whose main theme for 2000/2001 was 'Smart Driving'.

Traffic Prosecutions
All traffic summonses and fixed penalty prosecutions are processed by the Central Traffic Prosecutions Bureau. The year saw a slight decrease in overall traffic contraventions with some 1 369 000 traffic prosecutions processed, down 4.4 per cent from 1999. Moving offences targeted in 2000 included dangerous driving, drink driving, speeding, overloading and disobeying traffic lights. Against these targeted offences 448 859 fixed penalty tickets, 79 457 summonses and 2 735 arrest cases were recorded in 2000. For parking offences, 838 288 fixed penalty tickets were issued, representing a decrease of 6.3 per cent compared with 1999.

Traffic Management Bureau
The Bureau plays a key role as the Force's representative in the planning and preparation of major infrastructure projects. Its officers are responsible for liaising with other government departments, major corporations, consultants and contractors in the planning and construction of major road and rail projects to ensure that measures are taken to enhance road safety and the utilization of road space. It is also actively involved in formulating and implementing traffic improvement schemes and Bureau staff give advice on local traffic and transport matters at Regional and District levels.

Transport
The Force maintains a fleet of more than 2 500 vehicles of varying designs and functions to cope with all aspects of daily policing, internal security and special events.

During the year, Transport Division initiated a complete review of all vehicles and ancillary equipment to improve working practices and provide physical protection where necessary. Subsequent action included fitting safety railings to the roofs of vehicles, issuing guidelines on the use of equipment, and purchasing new equipment.

Similar attention to safety was given when outfitting several new four-wheel drive vehicles being introduced to replace the aging Land Rovers. Measures included enhanced Force markings and new reflective materials to make the vehicles more easily recognised and distinctive.

Police Licensing Office
Police have been given new power to control the recreational use of guns through the enactment of the Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Ordinance 2000, which came into force in February. The comprehensive amendments include measures to strengthen safety requirements and raise standards for arms instructors and management of shooting ranges. As a result, the Office issued about 1 200 authorisations and approvals in addition to processing 3 000 arms licences and permits.

Since 1995, Police have controlled the standard of private security companies and their personnel through a licensing scheme under which more than 180 000 security personnel permits have been issued. With the first batch of five-year permits due for renewal in July 2000, a computerised system was installed to handle the ongoing re-processing.

The Commissioner of Police is the licensing authority for the issue of temporary liquor licences which are issued to allow retail sale of liquor at public events. In 2000, a total of 61 temporary liquor licences were issued.