ENG-2002 — Page 379

PUBLIC ORDER

attacks elsewhere, the force has taken measures to ensure its operational readiness to deal with any terrorist threat. Such measures include two major exercises, one based on a biological incident and one based on a terrorist incident at the airport. These exercises each involved the deployment of the SDU. Additionally, the airport based exercise involved a number of non-government and quasi-government organisations which operate there.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau is responsible for all bomb disposal work in Hong Kong, both on dry land and underwater.

In 2002, the bureau dealt with 186 call-outs. There was a large diversity of types of incident, with Bomb Disposal Officers dealing with sophisticated Improvised Explosive Devices, Conventional Munitions Disposal (in particular at the Penny's Bay Reclamation Area), underwater munitions clearance operations and a continuing series of hoaxes and false call-outs from suspected anthrax incidents. Throughout the year, the bureau dealt professionally with these while continuing to train other police units in a variety of subjects including safe explosives handling and action at the scene of incidents involving explosive devices.

Illegal Immigration

There has been an overall downward trend since 1993 in illegal immigration from the Mainland. During the year, 5 203 illegal immigrants were arrested by police officers, an average of 14 per day, representing a decrease of 34 per cent compared with 7 918 in 2001. Of these, almost 51 per cent claimed to have entered Hong Kong by sea and the remaining 49 per cent crossed the land boundary.

Close liaison in the form of regular liaison meetings and exchange of intelligence was maintained with the Guangdong Border Defence Bureau. Additionally, the Guangdong bureau undertook to give full cooperation and assistance to the Police Force in combating illegal immigration and in preventing cross-boundary crimes. Enhancement of protective measures along the boundary fence system was completed in April. This, in conjunction with the use of advanced technical equipment, has further improved the capability of the Police Force in maintaining boundary security.

Police Dog Unit

There are about 170 dogs in the Police Dog Unit, comprising general patrol dogs and 'sniffer' dogs. The unit is responsible for ensuring that all dogs and handlers are professionally trained and their skills are maintained at a high level of proficiency. The unit also provides training to drug detection dogs from the Customs and Excise Department.

Special 'sniffer' dogs are stationed at the Hong Kong International Airport and the Kai Tak Operational Base to provide round-the-clock service in search operations. The unit's explosives detection dogs also play a key role in security operations undertaken by the Police Force.

Traffic

In 2002, there were 15 576 traffic accidents involving casualties, representing a decrease of 0.4 per cent compared with 2001. The number of fixed penalty tickets for moving offences issued was 390 268, a decrease of 10 per cent. Police officers and

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