Kowloon West Region
The Kowloon West (KW) Region covers some of the most densely populated districts of Hong Kong, as well as some of the newest development areas on the West Kowloon reclamation. Add to that the tourism and entertainment belt along Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui and business areas of Tsim Sha Tsui East, and you have a particularly diverse Police Region.

Overall Crime
While there was little difference in the overall number of crimes reported in 2000, notable decreases were seen in robbery (-11.5 per cent) and burglary cases (-7.9 per cent). This was tempered by increases in petty cash crimes like deception (+11.85 per cent) and shop theft (+14.82 per cent), which could be attributed to the aftermath of the economic downturn.

Drugs raids carried out within the Region achieved a 99.2 per cent success rate during the year, with heroin remaining the principal drug seized. Arrests for heroin-related offences accounted for 44.3 per cent of the total arrests. Also noted was the upward trend in the abuse of psychotropic drugs as reflected by the significant increase in the number of arrests and seizures in relation to ecstasy and ketamine — used by young people at dance parties.

Vice activities are mainly concentrated in the Mong Kok area and regional enforcement action continues to focus on this District. Stringent use of Closure Orders helped reduce the number of vice establishments operating in Mong Kok to less than 190 — some 20 per cent less than in 1999.

Mainland prostitutes using two-way permits continued to dominate the vice market and accounted for 73.6 per cent of the total arrests during the year. But there has also been a dramatic increase in the number of IIs arrested — up from 20 in 1999 to 275.

KW Region works closely with the Immigration Department to mount regular joint operations against these groups and prostitutes brought in from other countries. At the same time, we have established an intelligence exchange mechanism with the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department. Through direct liaison, exchange of intelligence and bilateral meetings to discuss the cross-boundary vice activities, a series of operations codenamed 'Bluebird' were successfully mounted towards the end of 2000.

Youth Crime
Juvenile crime remains a priority with operations mounted specifically aimed at young people involved in drug abuse and drug-related crimes. During 2000, the number of juvenile arrests increased by 25.2 per cent while the number of young people arrested went up by 8.4 per cent.

KW Districts have adopted a proactive approach with multi-agency cooperation to prevent and detect juvenile crime. The Region also reaches out to those at risk by producing a quarterly colour-printed magazine called 'Smart Teen', which is distributed to all local secondary school students and Juvenile Protection Service supervisors. The magazine aims to provide teenagers with a better understanding of their community, make them aware of the potential pitfalls surrounding their activities, help boost their self-confidence and enhance their ability to tackle common youth problems. In addition, a KW Youth-Care Committee will be established in March 2001 to organise programmes, activities and campaigns designed to reduce and prevent juvenile crime.

Triads
Stringent enforcement action against triad elements and tight control on entertainment outlets helped contain the triad problem in KW during the year. The number of triad-related offences recorded in 2000 fell a further 19 per cent following a significant 43 per cent drop in 1999.

The long-term Regional strategy has been to disrupt triad activities on all fronts by using both covert and overt means to target specific triad operations and individuals, while District resources are co-ordinated to combat triad activities that are of local concern.

Throughout the year, Mong Kok District initiated a multi-agency approach targeting triad controlled pornographic and pirated VCD retail outlets in the District. More than two million VCDs were seized and 1 535 people were arrested in a series of joint operations that has effectively brought the situation under control.

Enforcement action was also stepped up to suppress the growing drug abuse problem at discotheques that has generated quick money to traffickers who are mostly under the control of triad bouncers. Frontline units made a number of successful arrests at identified blackspots. Following the completion of a number of large public housing estates, high profile police operations were mounted to eradicate decoration racketeering during the in-take of residents.

Traffic
Traffic KW launched an enforcement and road safety publicity action during March 2000 that had a decisive effect in reducing accidents. Under the title 'Operation Eagle Eye', their strong presence along the length of Nathan Road and its top five accident blackspots resulted in 20 per cent and 50 per cent fewer injuries recorded in the respective areas, compared with March 1999. There were no fatalities. In addition, franchised buses lowered their expected 33 per cent share in accident involvement to 19 per cent.

New Territories North Region
New Territories North (NTN) Region continues to experience fast-paced development with a growing population that now stands at 1.53 million. With an area 516km², the Region encompasses 46 per cent of the total area of Hong Kong. A 32-km fence marks the northern boundary that separates the HKSAR from the Mainland and the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.

One of the Region's four Police Districts is the Border District, which faces unique challenges in terms of illegal immigration and the ever-increasing volumes of cross border passenger and vehicle movements. The other Districts are Tai Po, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun.

Overall Crime
While the total number of crimes reported during 2000 increased by 3.5 per cent, violent crime dropped by 4 per cent, matched by a noticeable decrease of 10.9 per cent in wounding and serious assault cases.

Theft-related crimes and burglaries both rose in 2000. In response to an increasing trend of high performance vehicles being stolen to strip for parts locally, the Region mounted various anti-vehicle crime operations with success.

The number of juvenile offenders increased by 10.4 per cent with the majority arrested for theft-related crimes. On the preventive side, officers gave regular talks to schools and distributed newsletters to help youngsters stay away from crime. A number of proactive enforcement measures were taken to combat juvenile crime.

Errant Youths
Missing youths are being found faster and offered counselling and other services under 'Operation Reunion', a new initiative introduced by NTN Region in July 2000. Patrolling officers look out for juveniles who may be in moral or physical danger because they are wandering very late at night, are in bars, or are with people who could be a bad influence on them. These juveniles are then encouraged to go home, and may be escorted. In more extreme cases, officers use their powers under the Police Force Ordinance and the Children and Juveniles Ordinance to take them to a place of safety.

Officers may refer troubled juveniles to NGOs or the Social Welfare Department for follow up action by social work experts, or in serious cases, for Care and Protection Orders to be made. So far, around 50 juveniles have been taken back to their parents and there have been no repeaters, signifying that the scheme has had some effect on their conduct.

In Tai Po District, Police ran a summer holiday camp for young people called 'Operation Ultrahot'. Organised as a means to deter youth crimes and gang activities, the camp gave parents the opportunity to enrol troublesome children for guidance and counselling. The project proved to be a big success, with juvenile crime falling by 13 per cent during the camp compared to the same period in 1999.

Traffic Accidents
Proactive enforcement action at accident blackspots helped reduce fatal accidents by more than a third in 2000. Targets included motorists driving too close to the vehicle in front, which accounts for 20 per cent of traffic accidents. By using a laser speed gun, traffic police can cite drivers for 'careless driving' and 'reckless driving' once speeding is detected. Suggestions were made to the highway authorities for improvements to signage and road engineering that Police believe can diminish the chance for accidents.

Following a significant increase in accidents involving cyclists in 1999, Traffic NTN introduced cycle track patrols along Tolo Highway and Ting Kok Road. Each team consists of four officers who patrol the tracks on bicycles during Sundays and public holidays. This initiative and concerted publicity campaigns helped reduce traffic accidents involving cyclists by 6.5 per cent in 2000.