The Crime Prevention Bureau (CPB), in collaboration with six Regional Crime Prevention Offices (RCPOs) and Uniform Branch officers, organised a territory-wide publicity campaign “Operation PILOTCHASE” on February 5 to combat residential burglaries.

Superintendent of CPB Lau Kar-ming delivered remarks for the kick-off of the campaign and attended a media interview with Assistant District Commander (Operations) of Tsuen Wan District (TWDIST) Tang Kwok-hung. Officers of the RCPO of New Territories South (NTS) also demonstrated how to set up a smart home security system to the press. Afterwards, police officers carried out publicity programmes in TWDIST to promote the benefits of establishing a smart home security system to the public.

To step up publicity, the CPB designed a pamphlet to provide security advice on the prevention of residential burglaries, including installing closed-circuit television systems equipped with high-definition infrared night vision, using sturdy locks on doors and windows fitted with sensors, and installing intruder alarms etc. Members of the public can access the publicity video on “Smart Home Burglary Prevention” jointly produced by the CPB, NTS Region and the Police Public Relations Branch through the QR code on the pamphlet.

On the campaign day, officers from various RCPOs, together with Chairpersons and members of District Fight Crime Committees (DFCCs), distributed pamphlets to the public. Frontline officers from various Police Regions were mobilised to conduct high-profile uniformed patrols in high-risk areas and mount intelligence-led operations at crime black spots to combat burglaries. In 2020, the Police recorded 2 095 burglary cases, of which 1 215 were residential burglaries, representing a decrease of nearly 10 per cent when compared with the figure in 2019. It was probably attributed to the fact that the Police deployed more officers to conduct high-profile patrols and mounted intelligence-led operations to combat burglaries. Both the detection rate and the number of arrestees were higher than the figures in 2019.

During the publicity campaign, the public responded positively to the Police’s series of operations against burglaries and expressed their will to continue assisting the Police in fighting crime.

Please visit the following link to watch a video of the publicity campaign :（https://fb.watch/3U4q6ikXln/）.

(From left) Superintendent of CPB Lau Kar-ming, Assistant District Commander (Operations) of TWDIST Tang Kwok-hung and an officer of RCPO NTS introduce smart home security system to the press.

Superintendent of CPB Lau Kar-ming (front row, first left) disseminates anti-burglary information to a member of the public.

Officers of RCPO NTS promote the benefits of establishing a smart home security system to the public.

Central District Commander Lam Hung-chuen (first left) and Vice-Chairman of Central District Junior Police Call Honorary President Council Dr Liu Kai-ming (second left) distribute anti-burglary pamphlets to a shopkeeper.

Officers of RCPO of Kowloon West introduce various smart home security devices to Yau Tsim Mong DFCC members.

North DFCC member Mr Hau Hong-shek (first right) and officers remind villagers to beware of burglary.

Assistant District Commander (Operations) of Kwun Tong District Tam Pak-fai (left) distributes pamphlets to raise public awareness of burglary prevention.