Terrorist threat remains low
A Force assessment shows that the level of terrorist threat against Hong Kong remains low, said the Commissioner, Mr Tsang Yam-pui, during an exercise, codenamed Exercise Bowdler, to test Police response and capability in handling a terrorist incident.
Mr Tsang said that, in dealing with terrorism, the Force responsibility was three-fold: "The first part of our responsibility is the collection of intelligence and information, exchange of information with overseas law enforcement agencies and, based on all the information received, assessing the level of threat in Hong Kong. Our most recent assessment is that the threat remains low.
"The second part of our responsibility is to put in place contingency plans for the protection of sensitive buildings, installations and personalities in Hong Kong, and the third part is to ensure that, in the unlikely event that a terrorist incident does occur, the Force is able to provide a professional and effective response to it."
Mr Tsang pointed out that Exercise Bowdler aimed to test only the third part of the responsibility.
The exercise involved dealing first with an attempt to bomb a bar and secondly with a linked terrorist hostage-taking incident at the Hong Kong International Airport. The units responsible for responding to those incidents were assessed on the degree to which they complied with the Commissioner's orders and instructions.
Also participating in the exercise were the Fire Services Department, Customs & Excise Department, Immigration Department, Civil Aviation Department, Airport Authority and Cathay Pacific Airways personnel, and a total of some 1,400 police and personnel from other organisations were taking part in the exercise.
Senior personnel from the People's Liberation Army Garrison, Guangdong Public Security Bureau and Macao Police were also in attendance as observers.
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