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Hong Kong Police Review 2020

SERVING HONG KONG WITH HONOUR, DUTY AND LOYALTY

[ Foreword ]   [ Memorable Events ]   [ Force Family ]   [ Operations ]   [ Regional Commanders' Report ]   [ National Security ]   [ Personnel and Training ]
[ Management Services ]   [ Finance, Administration and Planning ]   [ Environmental Report ]   [ Organisation ]
[ Appendices ]

 

Operations

The Anti-Deception Coordination Centre disseminated preventive messages at a press conference.

The overall number of crimes reported in 2020 was 63,232, representing an increase of 4,007 cases (up 6.8 per cent) compared with 59,225 in 2019. The rise was mainly attributable to significant increases in cases of deception (7,337 more cases, up 89.3 per cent) and blackmail (984 more cases, up 237.1 per cent), as well as in crime types targeted by the Force’s proactive actions, in particular serious drug offences (409 more cases, up 55.3 per cent).

Violent crimes decreased by 299 cases (down 3.1 per cent) from 9,690 to 9,391. The Force’s proactive enforcement strategy, coupled with the effective implementation of the National Security Law, resulted in fewer public events, and on a smaller scale, involving violence.

For every 100,000 people, 842 crimes were reported compared with 789 in 2019. Detection rates for both overall and violent crimes rose slightly in 2020, by respectively 0.7 and 1.1 percentage points, mainly attributable to significant increases in the detection rates of robberies, arson, burglaries and theft.

A total of 264 robberies were reported, an increase of 54 cases (up 25.7 per cent). None of the cases involved the use of genuine firearms.

Organised Crime and Triads

The Organized Crime and Triad Bureau combats organised and serious crime and triad activities through proactive, intelligence-led operations.

In May, the Bureau mounted a series of joint operations with Guangdong and Macao Police, resulting in the arrest of 380 persons for various offences and the seizure of crime proceeds worth more than $1.1 million.

In August, the Bureau established the new E Division to enhance its investigative capabilities. In addition to triad and organised crime, the E Division investigates cases of major public disorder, major disasters and terrorist attacks.

During the year, the Bureau also participated actively in the investigation and prosecution of cases relating to Operation TIDERIDER.

Police conducted Anti-Triad Operation LEVINGTON across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

Criminal Intelligence

The Criminal Intelligence Bureau provides intelligence support to major operations and investigations of serious crime, and manages two expert cadres on triads and gambling, helping to combat triad and organised crime. The Bureau also promotes the Force’s development of the model of intelligence-led policing by conducting professional training, streamlining intelligence flow and enhancing the corresponding systems. It targets sophisticated syndicates involved in serious and violent crimes, and liaises closely with Mainland, Macao and overseas law enforcement agencies in the fight against transnational and cross-boundary crimes through the exchange of intelligence.

Commercial Crime

The Anti-Deception Coordination Centre (ADCC) and Fraud and Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce (FMLIT) under the Commercial Crime Bureau combat the respective crimes within their remit through a holistic approach that covers intelligence exchange, enforcement action, multi-agency co-operation, and enhanced publicity and education, improving the Force’s all-round capabilities in battling fraud, deception and money laundering.

The work of the ADCC has been widely recognised and supported by all stakeholders concerned since its establishment in 2017. As at December 2020, the ADCC’s 24-hour Anti-Scam Helpline 18222 had received more than 78,000 public enquiry calls, provided advice and support services to frontline officers about 16,500 times, and intercepted the fraudulent transfer of more than $7.52 billion to swindlers from victims in over 2,000 fraud cases. The ADCC implements the International Stop Payment Mechanism with INTERPOL to better mitigate losses incurred in transnational deception. This mechanism had successfully intercepted more than $104 million of crime proceeds to overseas accounts since its launch in June 2019. The ADCC will take into account the latest crime trends and strives to raise public awareness of resisting deception by disseminating preventive messages to members of the public via media interviews, publicity campaigns and social media.

The FMLIT collaborates with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and financial institutions to tackle evolving fraud and money laundering activities. Since its launch in May 2017, the FMLIT has facilitated intelligence exchanges between law enforcement and banks in 135 cases, leading to the arrest of 299 persons in 76 intelligence-led operations and the freezing of crime proceeds amounting to $75.99 million. These achievements earned the FMLIT global recognition in a survey conducted by the Royal United Services Institute, a British-based think tank which compared the work of the FMLIT with 22 other similar public-private partnerships across the globe in August. The FMLIT will continue to leverage the unique synergy created by such a partnership to better detect, prevent and disrupt serious fraud and money laundering activities.

During the year, the Bureau also took proactive enforcement action to tackle fraud cases in relation to applications for the Government’s Anti-epidemic Fund. Seventeen persons were arrested for cheating the Fund out of more than $6.4 million.

The Fraud and Money Laundering Intelligence Taskforce met to discuss evolving crimes.

Cyber Security and Technology Crime

The Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB) combats technology crime and maintains the security of Hong Kong’s cyberspace through partnerships with the community and local and overseas stakeholders. During the pandemic, the Bureau maintained its multi-agency co-operation with overseas law enforcement agencies and organisations through joint operations and publicity campaigns.

The Bureau plays a leading role in the international arena. The Chief Superintendent of the CSTCB was appointed by the INTERPOL Secretariat General (IPSG) in April to be the Chairperson of the INTERPOL Global Cybercrime Expert Group, which is the advisory body to the IPSG in developing long-term and comprehensive strategies on combating technology crimes and protecting cyber security.

In July, the CSTCB mounted Operation PRINCEHORSE jointly with the Singapore Police Force and the Commercial Crime Bureau to combat email phishing scams and credit card fraud. The operation eradicated a local syndicate which was behind at least 150 fraudulent credit card transactions amounting to more than $1.3 million, with a total of 14 local and 21 Singaporean victims identified. It was the first case in which, through the collection of digital evidence, law enforcement agencies could fully uncover the essential steps taken by criminals to perpetuate email phishing scams.

The CSTCB in August conducted the first exercise to confront cyber and physical terrorism, codenamed SMOKEPILLAR, with various counter-terrorism units and stakeholders at the Hong Kong International Airport. The exercise not only strengthened the co-ordination, preparedness and response capabilities between police units and the other stakeholders, but also enhanced public awareness of counter-terrorism.

During Operation TIDERIDER, the CSTCB tackled numerous doxxing activities. A number of arrests were made, leading to the successful prosecution of individuals who had played different roles to circulate messages on social media to incite violent acts and hate crime.

Operation MOONSHIELD was mounted in November, resulting in the wipeout of a local syndicate that engaged in money laundering activities through 30 suspicious virtual bank accounts and had a turnover of $500 million. The CSTCB arrested 37 syndicate members and froze financial assets worth more than $2 million.


The E-security Audit and Incident Response Team displayed its response capabilities during counter-terrorism exercise SMOKEPILLAR and conducted investigations on the airport computer system attacks.


Operation MOONSHIELD, launched in November, wiped out a local money laundering syndicate.

Narcotics

In 2020, owing to travel restrictions imposed due to the pandemic, drug trafficking syndicates shifted to relying on sea freight and air parcels to smuggle dangerous drugs to Hong Kong. The Narcotics Bureau was unremitting in its endeavours to interdict the sources of dangerous drugs and collaborate with Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking. Forty-four serious drug cases were detected, resulting in the arrest of 170 persons and the seizure of 1,689 kg of illicit drugs.


In April, the Narcotics Bureau seized 580 kg of cannabis buds, a record haul by the Police.

Financial Investigation and Intelligence

The Joint Financial Intelligence Unit (JFIU) and the Financial Investigations Division (FID) of the Narcotics Bureau are committed to combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Their risk assessments, where relevant, are supported by the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment Unit (RAU) under the Bureau.

In view of the increasing complexity of financial investigations, the JFIU, FID and RAU were restructured during the year with additional manpower to enhance the overall Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) capabilities. A new division known as the Financial Investigation Headquarters (FI HQ) was established in October, incorporating the functions of the RAU, and oversees financial investigation policy and support.

During the year, the JFIU received more than 57,000 suspicious transaction reports and maintained close liaison with local and overseas enforcement agencies and other financial intelligence units to exchange intelligence. On another front, the FID continued to investigate and interdict sources of funds associated with illicit activities, resulting in the successful prosecution of 69 criminals for money laundering offences and, respectively, $268 million and $127 million being placed under restraint and confiscation orders.

The FI HQ disseminated AML/CFT messages to Financial Institutions and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions through online seminars, and also actively participated in international video conferences held by the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering. The second round of the Force’s teritory-wide money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessment exercise started in 2020.

Liaison

The Liaison Bureau supports uninterrupted communication with stakeholders and strategic partners in the areas of fighting crime and sharing intelligence on criminal activities. The Bureau co-ordinated various virtual meetings, including high-level exchanges with international strategic partners and working-level conversations to cope with day-to-day investigative needs.

In the region, the Bureau is dedicated to maintaining an effective partnership with the Mainland, Macao and Taiwanese authorities. In terms of training, the Bureau helps different units of the Force to acquire the latest crime trends, know-how and best practices from INTERPOL and electronic platforms.


In June, the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau and the Tai Po District investigation team held a virtual meeting with foreign law enforcement agencies on a fraud case related to COVID-19.

Crime Prevention

The Crime Prevention Bureau is dedicated to enhancing public awareness of prevalent crimes through multi-pronged publicity, education, and the rendering of professional advice to different sectors of the community. In 2020, the Bureau initiated Operation PILOTCHASE, emphasising the prevention of burglaries and robberies through concerted engagement with frontline units and local community bodies. During the pandemic, the Bureau provided security advice to Government clinics, hospitals and testing centres to guard against potential vandalism and to prevent patients under quarantine orders from escaping.


Crime Prevention Bureau officers provided security advice to medical staff at a hospital that had admitted COVID-19 patients.

Forensic Support

The Identification Bureau worked in conjunction with the Forensic Firearms Examination Division during Operation TIDERIDER to assist frontline units in the handling of large-scale extractions of evidence and to provide on-site, one-stop forensic examination services and specialist advice during the examination of devices that were capable of causing massive damage.

Criminal Records

The Criminal Records Bureau provides round-the-clock support services to frontline police officers and other Government departments in relation to information available on the Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System.

Abusive Offences and Youth Crime

The Family Conflict and Sexual Violence Policy Unit formulates and implements Force policies, procedures and training on the handling of offences involving child and elder abuse, domestic, family and sexual violence, youth crime, and mentally incapacitated persons. As the social unrest dies down, the Unit is striving to partner with stakeholders to enhance youth awareness of crime, promote awareness of abiding by the law, and provide timely counselling and support services through initiatives including the Extended Community Support Service Scheme and Police Superintendent’s Discretion Scheme.

Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support

The Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System (MIIDSS) was activated in Operation PINETOWER on February 21 to provide support to the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health in contact tracing and case investigation. The system analysed more than 8,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and their contacts.


Frontline staff made use of MIIDSS to analyse COVID-19 cases.

Witness Protection

The Witness Protection Unit runs witness protection programmes. It is also dedicated to providing victims and vulnerable persons susceptible to serious crimes with safety advice and assurance of personal well-being.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau carries out bomb disposal work. In 2020, bomb disposal cases involving homemade improvised explosive devices and convention munition continued to surface. In particular, the Bureau took part in a number of high-profile cases involving precursor chemicals that were meant to manufacture homemade explosives. The Bureau spares no effort in handling all types of explosive threats in order to safeguard Hong Kong.


An Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer examined an unexploded bomb at scene.

Police Tactical Unit Headquarters

The Police Tactical Unit Headquarters (PTU HQ) provides frontline officers with operational and tactical training in leadership and command, internal security, public order policing, the use of force, crowd management, field and physical training, and other areas. The training objectives are to equip frontline officers with the knowledge, skills and mental readiness required for handling anti-crime operations, public disorder situations and riots.

Throughout 2020, the PTU HQ continued to commit fully in face of challenges stemming from the social unrest. To deal with unrelenting public disorder and riots, staff members of the PTU HQ were deployed in the Headquarters Response Contingent and the Special Tactical Contingent with the task of quelling the riots, saving lives and restoring order under various operational circumstances. Officers also took part in devising and reviewing suitable tactics, and researching and procuring suitable arms, ammunition and equipment, to enhance the personal protection and operational effectiveness of all frontline officers. The PTU HQ will continue to review and refine the tactical training curriculum, operational gear and protective equipment in order to stay abreast of the fast-changing operational environment.


The Police Tactical Unit officers conducted helicopter training.

Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit

The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit (ICTU) comprises members from the Hong Kong Police Force, Immigration Department, Customs and Excise Department, Correctional Services Department, Fire Services Department and Government Flying Service. The ICTU’s strategic focus is to provide an inter-departmental platform on top of the existing counter-terrorism structure to enhance the overall counterterrorism capability of the Government.

Between 2019 and 2020, a series of cases involving firearms and explosives took place in Hong Kong, posing a serious threat to public safety. The ICTU, under its commitment to promote counter-terrorism awareness and public education, launched the ‘Stay Vigilant to Bomb’ initiative to educate the public on identifying and handling suspicious objects. It also extensively promoted the advice to ‘Run, Hide, Report’ to remind the public of the proper response in the event of a terrorist or violent attack.


www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_useful_info/rhr.html

The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit took out advertisements on trams to promote the safety advisory of ‘Run, Hide, Report’.

Major Incidents Bureau

The Major Incidents Bureau oversees the Force’s overall strategy and specific policies on the policing of terrorist incidents and major incidents, and audits the Force’s preparedness and response capabilities for such incidents. The Bureau comprises four divisions, namely the Counter Terrorism and Internal Security Division, Exercise and Audit Division, Major Events Planning Division and Police Public Engagement Office.

Command Cadre

The Command Cadre, formally established in January 2018, comprises officers between the ranks of Superintendent and Assistant Commissioner. The Cadre provides the Force with a selected pool of highly trained Field Commanders capable of taking charge of significant operational command tasks. Members of the Cadre receive regular training in different fields to keep their commanding capabilities at the highest level of readiness.

Counter Terrorism and Internal Security Division

The Counter Terrorism and Internal Security Division formulates and implements Force-level policies and orders relating to counter-terrorism and internal security. The Division keeps a close watch on international trends in terrorist activities and regularly reviews the effectiveness of the Force’s counter-terrorism contingency plans. It also collaborates with other Government departments and private organisations to enhance public alertness and educate residents about counter-terrorism initiatives. To maintain the highest level of readiness, the Division conducts training and exercises based on worldwide terrorist trends, aiming at critically testing the Force’s capability in responding to terrorist attacks.

Operating under the Division is the Counter Terrorism Response Unit, which is strategically deployed to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive premises and to ensure a rapid and effective response to any potential terrorist activities, or incidents requiring immediate tactical intervention in Hong Kong.


Officers of the Counter Terrorism Response Unit took part in a counter-terrorism exercise.

Exercise and Audit Division

The Exercise and Audit Division is the Force’s policy unit responsible for the operational aspects of public events and major incident policing. It also acts as the secretariat of the Command Cadre. The Division is responsible for staffing, co-ordinating and reviewing the job charters, protocol, equipment and procedures of all emergency response teams, steering and auditing response capabilities for major incidents, and exploring training and development opportunities for senior field commanding officers.

Major Events Planning Division

When the Force formulates operational plans for major events, the Major Events Planning Division acts as a central depository for communication among senior management, major police formations, organisers and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors. Internally, it provides secretariat services to the Force Steering Committee and the Police Headquarters Planning and Coordination Team, and co-ordinates among major formations, advising and assisting in the planning process and monitoring progress to ensure that operation planning is in line with Force directives. The Division also conducts After Action Reviews on major events to identify lessons learned and formulate best practices for future reference.

Police Public Engagement Office

The Police Public Engagement Office engages strategically with various stakeholders and organisations in the long term so as to facilitate a smooth and peaceful running of public events. It also facilitates communication between frontline officers and organisers for better mutual understanding.

Police Dog Unit

The Police Dog Unit keeps more than 100 trained dogs for patrolling, detecting drugs, tracking, and searching for explosives. To enhance counter-terrorism readiness at the airport, the Unit helped the Aviation Security Company Limited establish a canine unit in 2020.


A police dog received training in searching for explosives.

Operations Division

The Operations Division runs the Headquarters Command and Control Centre round the clock and deals with operational matters, covering the formulation of Force orders, boundary security and illegal immigration, allocation of operational resources, and liaison with the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison. It also oversees the policy of policing major cross-boundary infrastructures.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Division has been the Force’s contact point with other Government departments. Internally, the Division plans and supervises work among major police formations to help implement anti-epidemic measures, including immigration control, quarantine arrangements, social distancing rules and compulsory testing requirements, that are instructed by the Government under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance Cap. 599 to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Special Duties Unit

The Special Duties Unit is the definitive armed tactical intervention unit of the Force. The Unit is capable of conducting operations in land, sea and aerial environments, and specialises in handling terrorist attacks, hostage taking and armed criminal activities.


Special Duties Unit officers underwent aerial training.

Briefing Support Unit

The Briefing Support Unit is an integral part of the Force’s counter-terrorism response capability. It constructs scale models to support operational planning, post-incident investigations and court proceedings. The Unit comprises 25 voluntary police officers who have received formal training in the interpretation of plans and drawings, model building and 3D modelling.

Force Escort Group

In 2020, the Force Escort Group recorded 1,584 man-days in 52 mobilisations to escort the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, arms and ammunition, valuable property, and prisoners requiring special security measures, among other operations.


The Force Escort Group contributed 1,584 man-days in 52 mobilisations for escort operations during the year.

Force Rope Access Cadre

Under the motto ‘Attitude Drives Altitude’, the Force Rope Access Cadre renders round-the-clock support services to frontline units engaged in policing tasks at unusual locations, and provides professional advice to frontline commanders on policing matters related to working at height. Cadre members receive regular professional training to maintain specialist access capabilities at the highest level of readiness.


Force Rope Access Cadre members helped other frontline units to execute duties under extremely challenging environments.

Force Search Unit

The Force Search Unit is the police’s professional search arm. In 2020, the Unit took part in search operations to retrieve evidence related to improvised explosive devices and ammunition, and implemented security defence measures for some critical infrastructure, police and government premises.


Force Search Unit members conducted a defensive venue search operation.

Police Negotiation Cadre

The Police Negotiation Cadre consists of 103 members standing by round the clock as a secondary duty to their main policing functions. It is equipped with crisis intervention capabilities and can be deployed to handle terrorist and hostage incidents, to intervene in suicide cases and to manage negotiations at major public order events. All members share the common values of passion, nobility and commitment aimed at saving lives and resolving crisis situations.

The Cadre conducts regular negotiation training and joint exercises with key stakeholders within and outside the Force, and participates in international conferences and training programmes. It also organises crisis management and suicide intervention workshops for members of other disciplinary services, the Civil Service Training and Development Institute, social workers, mental health professionals, school principals and discipline masters.


Police Negotiators wearing personal protective equipment tried to persuade a person behind the closed door to go into quarantine.

TANGO Company

The TANGO Company consists of female police officers only. It was initially formed in 1992 to help handling women and children in Vietnamese refugee camps. Nowadays, the TANGO Company is often deployed in public events and security operations to assist in security screening and crowd management. In view of the radical social movement in recent years, specially trained TANGO Company members can also be sent to handle female protesters in public disorder or riot situations.


TANGO members participated in training at the Police Tactical Unit Headquarters.

Police Licensing Office

The Police Licensing Office issues licences and permits, processes the registration of societies, and reviews and implements licensing policies. In addition, the Office facilitates the work of other licensing authorities and co-ordinates the Force’s policy on public order events.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office remained steadfast in providing efficient public services as the number of applications for licences and permits continued to rise. Applications for Security Personnel Permits recorded a significant increase of 20 per cent compared with 2019.

The Hong Kong Police Licensing System was upgraded, with online application services launched in phases to allow residents to apply for licences on the Police Public Page.

The Office also helped frontline officers handle public order events by providing policy-related opinions and processing appeals lodged with the Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions.

Occupational Safety and Health Cadre

The Occupational Safety and Health Cadre provides Force members with training on risk assessment, risk management and incident investigation. Its goal is to achieve compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance across the Force.

In 2020, the Cadre provided training that led to occupational safety and health qualifications for about 230 Force members, and gave safety induction training to more than 630 new recruits at the Police College.

Animal Watchers Programme

To better protect animals and enforce the law more efficiently, the Force proactively implements the Animal Watchers Programme (AWP), which seeks to raise public awareness of preventing animal crimes, encourage the public to report suspected errant cases in a timely manner and provide information that can assist police investigation.

The AWP Central Advisory Board was established in late 2020, comprising community leaders, representatives of animal welfare organisations, academics and other experts to provide professional advice and suggestions to the programme. The AWP also recruited around 200 individuals as ‘AWP Captains’ and ‘AWP Watchers’ to pool together the efforts of animal lovers in the community for the protection of animals.

Police Public Relations Branch

The Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) carries out partnership initiatives with both the media and the wider community to enlist public support for the work of the Force. Information about police activities is shared with the media on a 24-hour basis via the PPRB’s interactive electronic platform.

The PPRB communicates with the media and public using the Police Public Page, the Police Mobile Application, the Police YouTube channel, the Police Facebook page, the Police Instagram account, and the Police Weibo and Twitter pages. On October 29, a new online programme ‘OffBeat On Air’, which is solely produced by the PPRB, started broadcasting on the Force’s Facebook and YouTube accounts. The programme provides a 15-minute episode at 9pm every Thursday to advise the audience on the latest crime trends and crime prevention tips.

In 2020, the Internet was still flooded with disinformation and rumours about the Police. In response, the Police held more than 530 press stand-ups and conferences and over 150 media interviews, at which accurate information was handed to the media, and false rumours and accusations were clarified and corrected. The Police disseminated messages, responded to allegations and produced short videos that provided the public with factual information to quash groundless rumours through various social media. The Police Social Media Live Teams also conducted more than 490 live broadcasts to enhance the transparency of police work and give members of the public another perspective about the latest situation at the scene.

The Force Media Liaison Cadre facilitates media activities on the ground and provides media liaison support for major security operations, public order events and large-scale ad hoc incidents. In 2020, the Cadre contributed a total attendance of more than 7,000 to help out on the ground, including in Operation TIDERIDER and Operation PINETOWER.

To promote the Force’s professionalism, the PPRB revamped the bi-weekly magazine ‘OffBeat’ by enriching the design and content and introducing an e-book to reach out to more audiences. The PPRB also published the first OffBeat Special Edition, to narrate challenges encountered by officers when dealing with the media. The latest promotional video, ‘Guarding Our City’, roped in over 600 officers from more than 15 police units to film a story about the Police conquering terrorists, serving to project a positive and professional image of the Force. The video will debut in January 2021.


www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLslN1DbNu8TPGb9v0hSck6oTnu_NuNQvf 

Artiste Eileen Yeow was invited to share her experience on child protection on ‘OffBeat On Air’.


The Force Media Liaison Cadre at a scene of police operation.

Engaging the Community

A key role of Police Community Relations Officers is to keep members of the public informed about police policies and operational priorities, and to disseminate community education messages about crime prevention and police work. The Junior Police Call (JPC) Scheme and the Police School Liaison Programme serve as valuable bridges between the Police and young people in Hong Kong.

The Force is enhancing its interactions and building mutual trust with young people through initiatives that include JPC module training, an e-sports programme and the Hong Kong Award for Young People (HKAYP). In 2020, a record number of 57 JPC members from the Hong Kong Police Operating Authority received the Silver Award of the HKAYP. A new JPC mobile application will be introduced in April 2021 to provide a centralised digital platform for youth engagement.

In February, the Force provided JPC@Pat Heung as a government quarantine facility. It worked with partners of the Government to serve more than 2,100 people under quarantine in the city’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PPRB Senior Police Call Scheme, which has more than 12,490 members in 21 police districts, shares messages about crime prevention and personal safety with the elderly.

Road Safety

Road safety in Hong Kong was well maintained in 2020. The number of casualties decreased from 20,218 in 2019 to 18,360, which represented a drop of 9.2 per cent. The number of fatal accidents fell to 96, a record-breaking low since 1953. Police will continue to work with the community to support the vision, ‘Zero Accidents on the Road, Hong Kong’s Goal’.

e-Ticketing Pilot Scheme

In March, the Traffic Branch Headquarters launched an e-Ticketing Pilot Scheme. Officers can issue electronic fixed penalty tickets on the spot using a police mobile phone with the relevant mobile application installed, and a portable printer. The new system enhances the overall enforcement accuracy and efficiency against illegal parking.

The first phase of the scheme aims at parking offences. The second phase will be launched in March 2021 to issue electronic tickets on moving traffic offences.


A police officer printed an electronic fixed penalty ticket on the spot.

Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force

The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force is a well-trained reserve team that supports frontline crowd management and beat patrol duties of the regular Force. During Operation TIDERIDER, the Auxiliary Police Force provided a vast amount of manpower to perform different duties to back up the regular Force. Quarantine-related duties were carried out in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, including safeguarding quarantine centres and helping to carry out compulsory tests at designated areas or premises.

The Auxiliary Police Force has an establishment of 4,501 members. In the 2019-20 financial year, 223 new volunteers were enrolled from all walks of life.

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