2003-01-19 16:08 To cope with the increasing demand from cross-boundary passengers for police assistance at the land boundary area, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Land Boundary Police Co-operation Scheme comes into operation today (January 19). During a press visit to the police reporting centre at Lowu, Assistant District Commander (Operations and Crime) of Border, Mr Law Cheuk-hung, said that the system was aimed at fostering the liaison on police matters across the land border and enhancing the police services currently offered to the cross-boundary passengers at the land boundary. "Since early 2002, the Commissioner of Police has initiated a number of discussions with officials of Guangdong Public Security Bureau to address the issue." "Under the Scheme, existing police facilities at the land boundary crossing points at Shenzhen and Hong Kong will be fully utilised to serve the public and to facilitate reporting of crimes and other police related matters by boundary crossers," he said. In Hong Kong, such facilities are provided at Sha Tau Kok Police Station and at the police reporting centres at Man Kam To, Lowu and Lok Ma Chau Boundary Crossing Points. Mr Law stressed that the Scheme only handled crimes and other police related matters that took place at the land boundary area while those occurred at places other than the land boundary area, e.g in the town centre of Shenzhen, would be covered by the existing mechanism - Guangdong/Hong Kong/Macau Co-operation Scheme on Police Matters. Hong Kong Police Officers and Public Security Officers working at the boundary districts have been appointed as Liaison Officers to maintain effective communication between the two law enforcement authorities on a round-the-clock basis. Mr Law said the Liaison Officers would collect and collate intelligence on cross-boundary crimes, especially involving the area of land boundary crossing points on both sides and arranging victims and witnesses, where necessary, to attend the relevant police facilities in Shenzhen and Hong Kong to assist in investigation. "Both sides will meet regularly to exchange criminal intelligence, information on crimes and other Police related matters," he said. "They will also ensure that reports received by Police are properly followed up through mutual assistance," he added. |