| 2003
was a year in which the Hong Kong Police continued to work in partnership
with the community to ensure that the territory remained one of the
safest cities in the world.
Although there was an increase in overall crime,
mainly due to the upsurge of street-level "quick cash"
crimes, the number of violent and other serious crimes decreased.
This decrease was in no small part due to the efforts of numerous
Police officers at various levels, which resulted in a reduction
in the number of robberies, the neutralisation of various counterfeit
credit card and counterfeit currency activities, and the solving
of two notorious murders in which firearms had been used. Crime
Wing Headquarters also co-ordinated efforts with Regions to stop
the proliferation of heroin divans and to interdict a number of
cross-boundary drug trafficking syndicates.
The number of instances in which firearms were
used continued to remain at a low level and this bore testimony
to the vigilance of the Hong Kong Police. An already successful
year on the crime-fighting front culminated in the arrest in December
of an infamous robber who had masterminded several high-profile
robberies with firearms in the 1990s. His capture was a major boost
in the fight against violent crime.
The Hong Kong Police
not only played an active role in combating crime, but also showed
its responsiveness during the SARS crisis in early to mid-2003,
when its Major Incident Investigation Disaster Support Section (MIIDSS)
assisted the Hong Kong medical authorities by using its computer
technology to trace SARS contacts and identify potential SARS "hot
spots". This assistance drew plaudits not only from
the Hong Kong medical authorities, but also from the World Health
Organisation.
In 2004, the crackdown
against quick cash crimes will continue and no effort will be spared
to ensure that the number of violent crimes remains low. The Force
will continue to be in the forefront of the fight against serious
and organised crime and will also continue to pay close attention
to drug abuse amongst youngsters.
Organised Crime and Triads
Throughout 2003, the Organised Crime and Triad
Bureau (OCTB) mounted a number of intelligence-based proactive operations
to combat many of the activities of triads and organised criminals.
Human smuggling is a subject of international concern. Since Hong
Kong is a major transportation hub, it is occasionally used by illegal
immigrants en-route to other destinations. During the year, OCTB
continued its efforts against human smuggling in collaboration with
the Immigration Department. More than 50 people were arrested.
Close co-operation with neighbouring police
authorities on the Mainland and Macao helped to keep crimes involving
the use of firearms under control. A system of immediate notification
on cases pertaining to firearms was established and is functioning
well. Continued high level co-operation with other law enforcement
agencies world-wide helped OCTB to take an active part in the neutralisation
of criminals engaged in vehicle theft, smuggling of stolen vehicles,
syndicated vice, gambling, cross-border crimes and other triad monopolies.
Criminal Intelligence
During the year, the Criminal Intelligence Bureau
(CIB) continued to take a strategic approach towards serious crime
and triad problems and initiated a series of very successful intelligence-led
Regional and Force-wide operations.
On the intelligence analysis training front,
CIB introduced the "Advanced Criminal Intelligence Analysis
Course" to Inspectorate officers with a view to enhancing their
professional skills and technical knowledge.
Since 1994, investigation has been actively
pursued against a robbery syndicate which apparently committed a
number of serious offences including armed robberies and shootings
since the 1980s. As a result of a well executed co-ordinated arrest
operation initiated by CIB, the mastermind and his associate were
arrested with 10 firearms, over 800 rounds of various ammunition
and seven hand grenades seized in December 2003.
Commercial Crime
The Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) is responsible
for taking preventive and enforcement action against serious frauds,
counterfeit and forgery cases as well as technology crime.
The number of syndicated and serious frauds
handled by CCB in 2003 dropped 18 per cent as compared to 2002.
The successful conclusion of pyramid scheme-related fraud cases
also resulted in a downward trend of the crimes.
Prevention of street deception was one of the
themes of the 2003/04 Fight Crime Publicity Campaign. The number
of reports dropped by 29 per cent in 2003 as compared to the previous
year.
A number of mortgage fraud cases were discovered
in 2003. With the co-operation of the banking industry, a key syndicate
responsible for the fraud was neutralised and a potential loss of
$49 million was prevented.
During the year, CCB neutralised three counterfeit
credit card manufacturing centres, which resulted in the seizure
of large numbers of finished and semi-finished products. Close liaison
and exchange of intelligence between CCB and the Public Security
Bureau in Guangdong also led to a successful raid in Shenzhen.
In December 2003, a counterfeit $10 coin manufacturing
and distribution syndicate was shut down. This was the largest counterfeit
coin production centre in the history of Hong Kong.
The Technology Crime Division is constantly
upgrading its professional investigation capability and has worked
in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong in the development
of new forensic examination software. To deal with the increase
of online game hacking activities, a project on "Cyber Ethics
involving Students and Youths" was jointly launched with the
Education and Manpower Bureau, the Television and Entertainment
Licensing Authority and schools and parents' associations.
In October 2003 the first Asia and South Pacific
Region Technology Crime Investigation and Training Seminar was held
in Hong Kong. This event was conducted in collaboration with the
Interpol Asia South Pacific Working Party on IT Crime.
Narcotics
The Force continued to accord a high priority
to tackling psychotropic substance trafficking and abuse. As compared
to 2002, there was a 25 per cent decrease in the number of young
persons arrested for such cases. Arrests for heroin offences were
also down by five per cent and throughout the year resources were
deployed to crackdown on the proliferation of heroin divans.
Joint efforts with Mainland counterparts were
fully used to disrupt the drugs supply. As a result of such operations
there were substantial seizures of drugs before they could reach
the consumer level. Narcotics Bureau played a significant role in
several transnational trafficking investigations that resulted in
substantial seizures of illicit drugs overseas. The Bureau worked
in close co-operation with several overseas agencies in order to
freeze, seize and ultimately confiscate assets of drug traffickers.
Crime Prevention
The Crime Prevention Bureau promotes the principles
of self-protection through the provision of target-specific advice
to a wide range of individual corporations and professional trade
bodies. Major publicity campaigns were run during the year to enhance
public awareness of quick cash crimes. The Bureau also deals with
licensing matters for the 850 security companies active in Hong
Kong, with responsibility in briefing and inspection of new applicants,
their annual and renewal inspections and close monitoring of any
substandard companies.
Liaison
The Liaison Division is responsible for liaison
with Mainland police authorities. In addition to existing direct
liaison channels with Beijing, Guangdong, Zhuhai and Shenzhen, the
Force established a new channel with Shanghai in 2003, in which
electronic communications will be employed.
To strengthen ties and co-operation with our
Mainland counterparts, the annual Bilateral Meeting and Tripartite
CID Heads Meetings were held in 2003. These were attended by Police
officers from the senior management levels of Hong Kong, the Mainland
and Macao to map out a strategy to combat cross-boundary crime.
The Interpol Division represents the Force
in the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO), better
known as Interpol, as a sub-bureau of the China National Central
Bureau. A Hong Kong Police officer is seconded to the ICPO General
Secretariat in Lyon, France, to enhance international co-operation
in combating crime.
Forensic Support
During 2003, the Identification Bureau (IB)
accorded priority to enhancing communication and co-operation with
Mainland and Macao counterparts, as well as to enhancing efficiency
of the Bureau. Application of new technologies at crime scenes and
in the Advanced Technology Section ensured continued success in
the identification of suspects. The identification process is speedily
and efficiently carried out by the Computer Assisted Fingerprint
Identification System. During the year, the system established the
criminal history of 44 978 individuals and linked 1 688 persons
to unsolved crimes in 1 493 cases.
Officers of the Photographic Section attended
4 275 crime scenes in 2003. Apart from conventional photographic
services, the section provided video crime scene re-enactment and
the printing of photographs from bank surveillance films and videotapes.
The Forensic Firearms Examinations Bureau continued
to play an important role in the investigation of firearm-related
crimes by improving its quality of services and through interaction
with leading professional associations worldwide, thereby ensuring
the Bureau uses the most advanced technology in forensic examination.
Major Incident Investigation and Disaster
Support System (MIIDSS)
MIIDSS is a system that assists investigations
by managing information in a major incident. In 2003, 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.
This computer tool helped to track down SARS contacts and locations,
which drew plaudits from the World Health Organisation.
Police Tactical Unit
Police Tactical Unit (PTU) officers are deployed
by the Regional Commander to carry out anti-crime and anti-illegal
immigration operations as well as crowd management duties during
festive occasions and public order events. PTU's ability to deal
with large crowds played a vital role in the smooth running of a
number of major events held in Hong Kong, for example the 6th Anniversary
of the Establishment of the HKSAR, the July 1 Parade and the Hong
Kong International Musical Firework Competition in October. During
2003, training staff from PTU Headquarters visited police units
in Singapore, Germany, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Bomb Disposal
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau
is responsible for dealing with all explosive devices and weapons
in Hong Kong. This remit includes dealing with Chemical, Biological,
Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Weapons. In 2003, the Bureau was
called out 151 times. During visits to Hong Kong by VIPs, the Bureau
deployed extra teams for any possible incident. 2003 saw the EOD
Bureau safely dispose of over 12 000 pyrotechnic devices surrendered
to the Police. The Bureau is at the forefront of the Force's preparedness
for counter terrorist incidents and over the past year conducted
several major Force-wide exercises. Officers from the Bureau visited
and were visited by similar units in the UK, the USA and Australia.
Counter Terrorism
Intelligence exchange with Interpol and other
overseas law enforcement agencies continued during 2003 with a view
to maintaining Hong Kong's security against terrorism. Since mid-year
the Force, in conjunction with other Government departments and
private sector interests, was heavily involved in the preparation
and introduction of the International Shipping and Port Security
Code. Frequent operations to test security at Hong Kong International
Airport were conducted with regular security reviews co-ordinated
with all representatives of the airport community. Also in 2003,
a major territory-wide counter terrorist exercise named "Spellbinder"
was conducted. This 14-week exercise aimed at enhancing overall
awareness of counter terrorism contingency plans.
Illegal Immigration
There has been an overall downward trend since
1993 on illegal immigration from the Mainland. During the year,
the Police arrested 3 809 illegal immigrants, representing a decrease
of 29 per cent as compared to 2002. Close liaison in the form of
regular meetings and exchange of intelligence was maintained with
the Guangdong Border Defence Bureau. Whole sections of the boundary
fence are now monitored round-the-clock through the use of advanced
technical equipment.
Force Search and Police Dog Unit
The Force Search Unit is responsible for developing
a professional search capability. In 2003 the Unit conducted two
major defensive search operations.These were for the Hong Kong Rugby
Sevens 2003 in March and the 6th Anniversary of the Establishment
of the HKSAR in July.
The Police Dog Unit provides a round-the-clock
search capability for drugs, firearms and explosives. In 2003, together
with officers of the Force Search Cadre, the Police Dog Unit's explosive
search dogs were deployed on security search operations for a number
of major international events held in Hong Kong.
Transport
In 2003, the provision of new large van patrol
vehicles continued throughout the Force. Replacement programmes
for large traffic motorcycles and specialist unit's large saloon
cars continued on schedule. With the onset of SARS, the Force fleet
and drivers were able to mobilise immediately in support of health
authorities' quarantine measures.
Traffic
Hong Kong continues to have one of the highest
vehicle densities in the world, registering 306 vehicles per kilometre
of road in 2003. During the year, the number of vehicle registrations
remained more or less the same as the previous year at around 590
000, the majority of them private cars. Reducing the number of traffic
accidents and maintaining a smooth traffic flow continued to be
priorities for Traffic Police.
Traffic accidents in 2003 showed a marginal
year-on-year decrease. Although the number of casualties recorded
a slight drop, fatalities (half of which were pedestrians) increased
by 18 per cent as compared to last year. The increase was due to
a number of passengers killed in one serious bus accident on Tuen
Mun Road in July.
Police continued to take stringent enforcement
action against offences related to bad driving. To strengthen Police
enforcement capability, 135 housings to accommodate 12 additional
red light cameras and eight speed enforcement cameras were installed
at accident black spots. In addition, the Force has a fleet of 47
vehicles equipped with video systems to enhance evidence gathering
in regard to speeding and poor driving.
To further enhance community awareness of road
safety, Police commissioned a new Road Safety Bus in 2003 and organised
a variety of publicity activities targeting different road user
groups. At the same time, Police continued to make concerted efforts
with other Government departments and road safety stakeholders to
review the legislation and seek for areas of improvement. During
2003, there was a decrease in the overall number of traffic contraventions
of 2.6 per cent over 2002.
Licensing
Legislative amendments to tighten the issuing
criteria of security personnel permits since April 2003 have considerably
enhanced the level of integrity and standard of personnel working
in the security and guarding services industry. Only persons who
are considered appropriate will be granted permits. At present,
there are about 224 300 valid permits. In 2003, the Police Licensing
Office approved about 60 000 applications, rejected some 450 applications
and revoked approximately 460 permits.
As a further means to facilitate legitimate
business operators of massage establishments, fees charged for renewal
of licences were significantly reduced as of May 2003. Following
the Karaoke Establishments Ordinance, which came into effect in
January 2003, a 12-month grace period was allowed for the trade
to gradually change their facilities to meet legislative requirements
for fire and public safety.
Public Relations
The Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) plays
a vital role in explaining Police work to the media and the public
as well as strengthening relationships in order to enlist the public's
support in the maintenance of law and order. 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. During
the year, the Secondary School Liaison Officers Programme and the
Junior Police Call scheme continued to serve as bridges between
the Police and youngsters. Membership of the JPC scheme stood at
144 043 at year-end.
In conjunction with Radio Television Hong Kong
(RTHK), the Police Force produces two weekly television programmes,
the 30-minute Police Magazine in Cantonese and the five-minute Police
Report in English, to keep the public abreast of prevalent crime
trends and to appeal for information that will help officers in
investigations. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Police
Magazine continued to enjoy high ratings while enhancing co-operation
between the Force and the community.
PPRB and RTHK jointly produced a new television
programme, "On the Beat", which made its debut in January.
It aimed to further enhance the image of the Force and promote public
understanding of Police work. One of its episodes, entitled "The
Suddenness of Life", won the Silver Plaque at the 39th Chicago
International Television Awards. Part II of "On the Beat"
was launched in October to disseminate the twin messages "Evil
will not prevail over the good" and "Justice has a long
arm". Both Part I and Part II of "On the Beat" enjoyed
favourable ratings. An average of 1.5 million viewers aged four
and above watched each episode.
Police telephone hotlines and Crime Information
Forms provide convenient channels for crime reporting. A total of
22 583 hotline phone calls (not including those made to the emergency
hotline 999) as well as 2 049 returned Crime Information Forms were
registered respectively at year-end, resulting in 2 722 arrests.
To commend people's initiatives in helping the fight against crime,
the Police Force held two Good Citizen Award Scheme presentation
ceremonies in June and December, with sponsorship from the Hong
Kong General Chamber of Commerce.
Information relating to Police activities is
disseminated to local and overseas media organisations round-the-clock.
During the year, officers seconded from the Information Services
Department (ISD) handled 290 468 media enquiries, issued 3 445 press
releases, organised 321 press conferences and briefings and assisted
media coverage at 235 serious crime scenes and other incidents.
Information Officers at PPRB also worked closely
with their counterparts in the ISD and representatives from other
Government departments as well as the Fight Crime Committee in planning
and implementing the Fight Crime Publicity Campaign 2003-04 which
had two themes, "anti-street deception" and "anti-miscellaneous
theft".
To further publicise Police-related information
effectively, PPRB continued to update the contents and improve the
presentation of Force publications, including the bi-weekly newspaper
OffBeat, the JPC monthly newsletter and Police in Figures leaflet.
The Police Review 2002 won an Honourable Mention in the 2003 Best
Annual Report Awards organised by the Hong Kong Management Association.
Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force
The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF)
consists of about 4 300 officers who come from all walks of life.
They perform a variety of operational policing duties such as crowd
management, key point defence and beat duty, as well as undergo
regular and comprehensive training. The HKAPF is fully integrated
with the regular force and the Auxiliary Support Bureau acts as
a one-stop shop to assist in the administration, management and
training of the HKAPF. |