PUBLIC ORDER
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The bureau's Liaison Division is responsible for liaison with Mainland police authorities. Close liaison has been maintained with the Interpol China National Central Bureau in Beijing, the Guangdong Liaison Office, the Shenzhen and Zhuhai Liaison Sub-Offices of Guangdong and other Mainland law enforcement organisations. Since 1990, 176 criminal fugitives and 163 stolen vehicles have been returned to Hong Kong from the Mainland.
The Interpol Division represents the Police Force in the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO), better known as Interpol, as a sub-bureau of the China National Central Bureau. A Hong Kong police officer is seconded to the ICPO General Secretariat in Lyon, France, to work in one of its specialised groups. An officer is also attached to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Sydney, Australia, to enhance international co-operation in combating crime.
Public Order
During the year, eight companies with a total of 1 360 officers were trained at the Police Tactical Unit Headquarters, equipping them for deployment to the five Land Regions to undertake a wide range of duties including anti-crime patrols, anti-illegal immigration operations, security assurance, and crowd management during festive occasions, public gatherings, processions and demonstrations. PTU officers played a vital role in the successful policing of the millennium events, which attracted large crowds.
To further enhance the capability of the unit in handling protest groups, which have become highly organised and internationally mobile, PTU training staff visited Malaysia, Australia, the United States, Japan and South Africa to exchange ideas and experience in crowd management methods, defensive tactics and equipment.
The Special Duties Unit (SDU), which is one of the key units in the Police Force's counter-terrorist response, continued to maintain close links with similar units
overseas.
Bomb Disposal
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau is responsible for all bomb disposal work in the HKSAR, both on dry land and underwater.
During the year, the bureau rendered safe and disposed of a variety of explosive items ranging from unexploded military ordnance, including World War II aircraft bombs unearthed on construction sites, to pyrotechnics and criminal home-made bombs.
One major operation was the controlled destruction of some 1 000 kilograms of unstable high explosives that had been seized in past criminal cases. In an extensive operation over three days, Bomb Disposal Officers from both the permanent EOD establishment and the volunteer EOD cadre safely destroyed the explosives in some 40 controlled explosions.
In addition, the bureau made a concerted effort to ensure that the Police Force complied with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance regarding the safe use, storage and transport of ammunition.