[ Foreword ] [ Memorable Events ] [ The Hand of Partnership ] [ Operations ] [ Regional Commanders' Report ] [ Personnel and Training ]
[ Management Services ]
[ Finance, Administration and Planning ] [ Environmental Report ] [ Organisation ]
[ Appendices ]
In 2017, the Regions continued to devote their efforts to upholding the rule of law, maintaining law and order, and serving Hong Kong society with pride and care. The concerted efforts of the Force to fight crime were enhanced through initiatives by which it engaged with different sectors of the community and participated in multi-agency partnerships. A series of publicity campaigns and educational programmes were also launched with the aim of enhancing public awareness of crime prevention and road safety.
Hong Kong Island officers managing a public procession on Labour Day.
For the Hong Kong Island Region, events connected with the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the 5th Chief Executive Election made 2017 an especially significant year. As a hub for politics, commerce and tourism, Hong Kong Island hosted a wide range of celebrations and other events during the year, including international arts events and mega sports events. Through careful preparation, planning and flexible deployment of resources, and through close co-operation with different sectors, the Region was able to ensure that all these activities and events took place in a safe and orderly manner.
In the light of recent global terror attacks, during the year the Region conducted a counter-terrorism exercise named SKYVAULT designed to test and enhance the command and co-ordination capabilities of frontline units. SKYVAULT was also effective in enhancing frontline officers’ expertise in handling terrorist incidents, and raising public awareness of counter-terrorism efforts.
The Region works constantly to maintain close co-operation with many different sectors of the community. During the year, Project WeGUARD was launched to develop a good rapport with the hotel sector and strengthen the exchange of intelligence to combat and prevent crime. Regarding road safety and traffic management, the Region continued to implement the Selected Traffic Enforcement Priorities (STEP) and the Hong Kong Island Region’s Traffic Control Plan to ensure smooth traffic flow within the region.
In its efforts to prevent youth crime, the Region continued to adopt a multi-agency approach that is helping young people gain a better understanding of the criminal justice system and of the serious consequences of committing crimes. The goal is to encourage young people to develop into responsible and law-abiding citizens.
The overall law and order situation in the Region remained stable in 2017, with a decrease of 13.9 per cent in the overall crime figure as compared with that of 2016.
Hong Kong Island officers set up security measures as part of the HKSAR 20th Anniversary operation.
Hong Kong Island Region launched Project WeGUARD and signed a Partnership Commitment with the Hong Kong Hotels Association.
The Marine Police is responsible for maintaining law and order within the 1,651 square kilometres of waters of the HKSAR including its many islands, and for ensuring the integrity of its 191 kilometre-long sea boundary.
In 2017, combatting illegal immigration remained the Region’s top operational priority. A particular emphasis was placed on targeting human smuggling syndicates and interdicting their financial resources. The concerted action of different units resulted in a significant reduction in the numbers of all categories of illegal immigrants.
Enhanced equipment (including personal protective equipment) and tactics training have provided the Region with a maritime emergency response capability adequate for handling all security-related incidents in Hong Kong waters and designated port facilities under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. Regular exercises and training with relevant stakeholders, including port facility operators, has also helped the Region maintain a high level of operational readiness.
A series of projects have been implemented to leverage new technology and provide frontline officers with more advanced equipment for carrying out their duties:
MARSAS is a high-tech mobile data transmission system which enables the sharing of real-time situational information between police vessels and command centres. It strengthens the Region’s ability to carry out maritime law enforcement and respond to major maritime incidents, disasters and acts of terrorism at sea. In 2016 and 2017, two trials of the new system were successfully completed. MARSAS won the Special Citation Award (Innovation) in the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2017. Project funding of $186 million for full implementation was secured from the Legislative Council on December 1.
The Marine Region has secured $1.9 billion in funding for the procurement of 65 new launches and 59 small tender craft. Procurement on this scale is unparalleled in the history of the Region. The Project Implementation Team is now working closely with the Marine Department’s Government New Construction Section to procure new and replacement vessels. The fleet replacement programme is expected to conclude in 2022, when the final delivery of fit-for-purpose craft will significantly enhance the operational capability of the Marine Region and enable it to tackle new and evolving maritime challenges.
At the district level, a series of initiatives were undertaken in 2017 to promote sea safety and reduce the number of accidents at sea.
One of the Marine Region’s Divisional Fast Patrol Craft Mark III.
Officers of the Government Flying Service lift an injured person from a Marine Police vessel during a joint exercise.
The year 2017 was an eventful one for Kowloon East Region. On March 21, the Region held a ground-breaking ceremony for its new Regional Headquarters complex in Kowloon Bay to mark the commencement of the project. On July 21, Tseung Kwan O District became an independent police district.
The Region recorded a 7.4 per cent decrease in overall reported crimes when compared with 2016, and it remains vigilant in combatting and preventing burglaries and robberies on many fronts. In 2017, the Rural Patrol Unit of Sai Kung Division, the Rural Area Patrol Team of Wong Tai Sin District and the Tseung Kwan O District (under Operation HILLCASTLE) recruited over 650 fight crime ambassadors from local villages to help disseminate crime alerts in their neighbourhoods and boost the home security awareness of residents. Incidences of key crimes, including burglaries, robberies, woundings and serious assaults, all fell.
The Region continued to work hard in combatting telephone deceptions, especially the ‘Pretend Official’ type of deception. In collaboration with its long-term partners, and drawing on exchanges of intelligence and joint operations with LEAs outside Hong Kong, the Region initiated an array of territory-wide anti-telephone deception activities. These included distributing new posters and stickers to over 3,000 restaurants, broadcasting promotional videos on major forms of transport, and disseminating anti-telephone deception messages through channels established with various stakeholders, including local education institutions.
In preparation for the commissioning of new railway lines, Railway District has been implementing its Integrated Railway Policing Strategy. Initiatives it has launched include targeted training and joint exercises to ensure a swift and concerted response in emergencies, and enhanced patrols inside railway stations. In September, Railway District was awarded a Gold Prize (Inter-departmental Award) in the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2017 for its project Safeguard Our New Railway Lines, which it developed in collaboration with five other Government departments to help make railway operations in Hong Kong safer, more reliable, and more efficient.
As part of its efforts to engage with the wider community, in 2017 the Region placed a special focus on young people, and in particular on teenagers in Forms 1-3. With the aim of inspiring young people to develop a positive mindset and achieve a sense of being part of society, the Region organised interactive activities for the regional project HAPPY TEENS, including a sports day, a music festival and a Community Day especially for local students, including ethnic minority students. Formations in the Region have remained committed to maintaining public safety, engaging with the community through initiatives such as Operation BOLTRUNNER and Project SOLE GOOD organised by Operations Kowloon East, Interactive Road Safety Workshops run by Traffic Kowloon East, Project ANIMATE in Kwun Tong District, and Project GREEN SEEDLING in Sau Mau Ping District.
Kowloon East Region held an Anti-Telephone Deception Week Inauguration Ceremony on May 28.
Officers interacting with the public at an Anti-Telephone Deception Bus Parade held on October 7.
Young participants in the Kwun Tong District Junior Police Call Fight Crime and Racial Harmony Healthy Fun Run held on November 4.
In 2017, the overall crime rate in Kowloon West Region experienced a slight decrease when compared to 2016. Certain key crimes, including burglary and robbery, recorded significant decreases.
The Region continues to be at the centre of large-scale infrastructure development projects such as the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, the Kowloon West Cultural District and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation’s Shatin to Central Link. All of these have posed operational and traffic management challenges which are expected to affect the area for some time to come. The Region has put special traffic management measures in place to mitigate the impact of these projects on the public, and is making comprehensive plans for the policing of the new Express Rail Terminus.
The Region works hand in hand with all sectors of the community, including businesses, in order to promote mutual understanding and enhance social harmony. Given its diverse social make up, the Region has sought to engage ethnic minority youths through Project GEMSTONE by providing them with practical and language skills training that can help them realise their potential and contribute fully to the community. This year, two GEMSTONE members successfully completed their training and became inspectors of Police.
Another worthy initiative is Project TORCH, organised by Mong Kok District, which has worked to enhance the local youth community’s understanding of police work and to pass on Force values to young people who aspire to become police officers. Activities undertaken during the year included visits to different police units, mock interview training, and physical training.
As 2017 drew to a close, the Kowloon West Community Engagement Day held at Sham Shui Po Police Station was attended by thousands of parents and children along with community leaders from across the Region. The event included displays of police equipment, games, musical performances and speeches, and fittingly rounded off an eventful and successful year of community-based work.
A new Police Inspector (back row, sixth from left) from Project Gemstone is welcomed by Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam (back row, centre), senior Force members, and current members of Project GEMSTONE at the Police passing-out parade.
Members of the public taking part in booth games in the Kowloon West Community Engagement Day.
In 2017, New Territories South Region continued its efforts in maintaining public order and public safety, and preventing and detecting crimes. The Region recorded a decrease of 506 in the number of reported crimes, with incidences of violent crime, quick cash crime and blackmail decreasing by 108, 392 and 43 respectively.
The Region places great emphasis on working with the community to address problems. The security industry in particular is a vital partner. With Project FASTMARKER, Lantau District has established an effective communication platform with the management companies of private and public housing estates and other community stakeholders including rural residents. Project HALO, rolled out by the Airport District, is strengthening its collaboration with air cargo operators and enhancing their awareness of crime prevention and counter terrorism measures.
Tackling youth crime remains a priority at both the Regional and the District levels. Officers work together with schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other groups to address youth crime through crime prevention activities. Project R run by the Region promotes early intervention and encourages young offenders to rebuild their relationships with family and community, thus strengthening their awareness of the value of being law-abiding and reducing recidivism. Kwai Tsing District’s Project WE TRUST aims to garner public trust and support for the Police from the school sector through school visits, talks and sharing sessions with principals, students and alumni.
The Region also emphasises the need to build the capacity of its staff so they can serve the public in a professional and caring manner. In support of this, it runs a learning series on a range of frontline policing topics, such as street management, rural policing and cruelty to animals. It has also enhanced the readiness of Regional officers to deal with major incidents by running a series of exercises and drills.
In September, Airport District held an open day to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Airport Security Unit. This meaningful event, attended by 3,400 visitors, gave the public valuable insights into police work and effectively showcased the professionalism of the Force.
Through Project FASTMARKER, Lantau District engaged with local stakeholders for intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
A press conference reporting on the effectiveness of Project R was held on May 9.
Emergency Unit New Territories South officers conducting an anti-terrorist attack exercise on an MTR train.
In 2017, New Territories North Region recorded a decrease of 6.3 per cent in overall crime compared with 2016, with significant drops recorded in burglary (down by 26.6 per cent) and violent crime (down by 13.4 per cent).
The Region collaborated closely with property management companies, and recognised their contributions to crime prevention through the Property Management (Security) Award Scheme. The Region also further extended its crime prevention activities to different social groups, for example by advising rural villagers to install CCTV networks in their villages and by disseminating crime prevention messages via social media platforms. The Region also worked closely with NGOs with a view to helping young people who had been arrested to get back on the right path, through the provision of counselling and support services.
To reduce accidents involving cyclists, the Region prioritised its resources to enhance enforcement actions and promote safe cycling to the public. The Region also targeted illegally modified vehicles to enhance road safety in the Region. In addition, more than 1,100 anti-drink driving operations were conducted in 2017, leading to the arrests of over 110 persons.
The Region’s counter-terrorism capabilities were maintained through regular training activities and joint-departmental exercises that enhanced the Region’s emergency preparedness and responsiveness. Meanwhile, passenger throughput at the six control points has continued to increase. Through effective police deployment and co-ordination with other stakeholders, the Region has continued to provide effective daily crowd management for commuters, including cross boundary students.
The infrastructure of the new control point at Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai will tentatively be completed at the end of 2018. The Region has been working on the deployment plan and resource management issues to ensure that the new control point will function smoothly and effectively once it comes into operation.
Traffic New Territories North co-operated with St. John Ambulance Brigade to promote cycling safety.
Emergency Unit New Territories North officers taking part in an inter-departmental exercise simulating a major incident.
Emergency Unit New Territories North officers taking part in an inter-departmental exercise simulating a major incident.
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