ENG-2001 — Page 386

PUBLIC ORDER

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gatherings provided opportunities for members of the FCC and the DFCCs to discuss crime issues of public concern and to exchange views on ways to combat them.

Police Force

The Hong Kong Police Force has distinguished itself as one of the oldest, yet most modern, police forces in the world.

The Police Force has varied responsibilities, ranging from protecting the public, preventing and detecting crime, to maintaining law and order. Apart from these principal duties, the Police Force is also responsible for ensuring smooth traffic operations on the roads and reducing the number of accidents, as well as detecting illegal immigration.

At December 31, the Police Force had a strength of about 27 880 police officers supported by some 5 510 civilian staff and reinforced by some 4610 volunteers serving in the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force.

During the year, the overall law and order situation in Hong Kong remained stable. There was a 5.5 per cent decline in the figure of overall crimes while the figures for violent crimes and burglary were at a 27-year-low and a 21-year-low, respectively. The crime figures in Hong Kong remained among the lowest when compared with other metropolitan cities around the world.

The Police Force worked closely with the Mainland and other neighbouring law enforcement agencies in the fight against cross-border crimes. During the year, a series of operations codenamed 'Spring Thunder', which involved officers from Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong, led to the seizure of suspected dangerous drugs worth $9 million and the arrest of 219 suspected traffickers in Hong Kong.

Vigorous enforcement action against psychotropic drugs resulted in the arrest of 2 504 persons for various drug-related offences. In addition, 2472 persons were arrested as a result of a series of anti-triad operations.

Large-scale operations were conducted to facilitate the safe and smooth running of three major international economic forums. The police also facilitated the staging of 2 347 public meetings and processions. With the exception of a few, these events were conducted smoothly.

Considerable headway was made in management, including the opening of the purpose-built Tactical Training Complex at the Police Training School in Wong Chuk Hang. In addition, funding was secured for a Command and Control Communications System (third generation) which will provide front-line officers with a state-of-the-art communications and command system by the end of 2005.

During the year, the force's senior management formulated a 'Three Year Strategic Action Plan', which set out the focus of police work from 2002 to 2004. The main policing priorities for 2002 will be cracking down on violent crime, triad activities, transnational crimes and vigorous enforcement action against the abuse of psychotropic drugs. Further improvements in the use of information technology, recruitment of quality officers and enhancing staff training will also be key areas of work.