Hong Kong Island Region
This was another challenging year for the Hong Kong Island (HKI) Region. The demands on police resources were again focused on the many large-scale demonstrations held in the Region, which were managed in a sensible, positive and professional manner. Every effort was made to meet the community's needs and expectations through close liaison with representative bodies and refinement of policies and tactics where appropriate.

Overall Crime
While the total number of reported crimes increased a marginal 2.4 per cent, burglaries and robberies declined significantly in 2000 (down 18.1 per cent and 12.8 per cent respectively). Crimes related to debt collecting were down 36.3 per cent, most being acts of criminal damage to the debtors' property.

The most disturbing trend has been the increase in arrests of young people, who accounted for more than a quarter of all arrests during the year. Top policing priority was accorded to tackling the problem, with all Police Districts in HKI taking initiatives to foster greater co-operation and partnerships with the community to reduce youth crime. At the same time, we continue to work closely with relevant agencies in addressing youth problems.

The proliferation of dance parties among the young has led to increased triad activities in supplying soft drugs. As a counter measure, the Region adopted a high profile police enforcement strategy by deploying more resources on intelligence-based operations that targeted drug trafficking syndicates and dubious places of public entertainment.

Great importance is attached to crime prevention initiatives through public education. HKI mounted a series of crime prevention campaigns focusing on vehicle crime, deception, burglary, miscellaneous theft and pick-pocketing.

Traffic
Maintaining a smooth and safe traffic flow through the busy business districts of the Region remained a top priority for the traffic police. Proactive measures taken included public education campaigns and concerted enforcement operations mounted at identified accident black spots. Special operations targeting drink driving and seatbelt offences were also conducted on a regular basis. In cooperation with the franchised bus companies, the Police held a number of workshops for their drivers to enhance awareness of road safety.

Such initiatives helped reduce serious traffic accidents by 2.9 per cent during the year.

Public Order / Crowd Management
A distinguishing characteristic of HKI is the resources required to maintain order at the many public events staged in the Region. It is a measure of the meticulous planning, disciplined organisation and accommodating stance taken by the officers concerned that the 490 public meetings and 194 public processions held during 2000 generally passed off peacefully with minimum inconvenience to the general public.

In addition to handling demonstrations and protest marches, the Region is also responsible for crowd control at such major annual events as the Lunar New Year Flower Fair, Parade and Fireworks Display; the Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens Tournament; the Commemoration of the June 4th incident; the HKSAR Reunification Anniversary; the PRC National Day Ceremony and the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Service Quality
During the year, the Fight Crime Committee introduced an Outstanding Performance/Service Award in which two HKI units — Wan Chai District Special Duties Squad and Western District Anti-triad Squad — came out winners, together with eight other units in the Force. Meanwhile, North Point Division was first runner up in the large team category of the Quality Service Enhancement Award Competition under the Civil Service Customer Service Award Scheme 2000-01.

Future
The efficient management of public order events will continue to be HKI's primary policing concern in 2001. Among the events that will require protracted and intensive policing both before and afterwards is the Fortune Global Forum in May, which has attracted a great number of international VIPs and journalists. The Region will continue to serve the community in a professional and caring manner.

Kowloon East Region
The Kowloon East (KE) Region encompasses an area of 226 km² covering the Wong Tai Sin, Sau Mau Ping and Kwun Tong Districts as well as the Mass Transit Railway (MTR). With the continued development of Tseung Kwan O New Town, plans and strategies are under constant review to ensure that any social problems or emerging crime trends associated with the increase in population will be identified early and dealt with appropriately.

Overall Crime
Reported crimes increased by 4.4 per cent compared with 1999, but with a detection rate of 41.6 per cent, the situation remains well under control. Murders were down, and six of the seven cases were solved. Cases of wounding and serious assault were up marginally. Burglaries increased by 10.4 per cent while robberies remained at the same level. Although the use of pistol-like objects in robberies increased, none of the cases involved genuine firearms.

Crime KE adopted a multi-jurisdictional approach in handling case enquiries. For crimes such as the manufacture and distribution of pirated CDs and VCDs and the illegal importation of marked oil. The relationship between the KE Region and Mainland law enforcement authorities has been strengthened through regular liaison and formal visits. This liaison is necessitated due to the increased likelihood of culprits sneaking back to the Mainland. Good relations between the Region and the Mainland PSB has resulted in these culprits being sent back to Hong Kong.

Youth Crime
Throughout 2000, KE gave high priority to combating youth involvement in crime and drugs. The Region continues to adopt a multi-level approach through regular liaison with schools, community organisations and government departments. Patrol officers also provide on-the-spot education and guidance to youths. Overall arrests for the year were only slightly above 1999, although those related to drug offences went up more significantly.

In concentrating mainly on tackling all of the medium and street level drug trafficking activities in the Region, only comparatively small amounts of heroin and 'ice' were seized during police operations.

Anti-triad
On the anti-triad front, KE scored a number of successes, and by maintaining its firm grip on triad-related activities, helped reduce such crimes by more than 10 per cent in 2000. Particularly successful were joint operations with the Customs and Excise Department to crack down on one of the triads' major activities — the unlawful selling of pirated optical discs and illicit diesel oil.

Following an increase in street deception cases, KE launched initiatives that resulted in two Mainland syndicates being neutralised. At the same time, crime prevention units organised a series of campaigns to improve public awareness of the problem.

Public Order
Dealing with IIs, particularly to deter their involvement in crime and illegal employment has remained a priority of KE Region. Containment has been achieved through intelligence-based operations at construction sites and surveillance of identified landing locations along the coastline and hillside hideouts.