ENG-2008 — Page 373

Public Order 305

To keep the public abreast of crime trends and crime prevention measures, the PPRB worked closely with Radio Television Hong Kong and Cable TV to produce a number of TV programmes, including Police Magazine, Police Report and Police Bulletin. Over the course of 35 years, Police Magazine had continued to expand its audience network, reaching a wide segment of the society. The Programme won the Award of TV Appreciation Index 2007. The PPRB also worked with other TV broadcasters and film-production companies, both local and overseas, to produce dramas, documentaries and films related to Police work. In this connection, the PPRB offered support to the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority in processing applications for filming-related licences.

The PPRB produces a number of publications, including a bi-weekly newspaper called Offbeat and a JPC monthly newsletter. Hong Kong Police Review 2007, a yearbook published by the PPRB, won the Silver Award in the Governmental Annual Report category of the Galaxy Awards 2008. The PPRB also assisted the Fight Crime Committee in planning and implementing the Fight Crime Publicity Campaign 2008-09.

Organised by the Police Force and sponsored by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Good Citizen Award Scheme gives recognition to citizens who have assisted the Police in their fight against crime. In 2008, 80 citizens received awards under the scheme.

Police hotlines and crime information forms provide convenient channels for reporting crime. By year-end, the Police had received a total of 23 076 hotline phone calls, excluding those made to the 999 emergency hotline, and 1950 crime information forms, resulting in 245 arrests.

Planning and Development

Construction works for the new Central District Headquarters and the new Central Division Police Station commenced in April 2007. The Central Division Police Station will move from its temporary accommodation in Arsenal Street to its new building in Chung Kong Road in the first quarter of 2010. Upon the opening of the new Police Station, two existing Divisions in Central District (Central Division and Waterfront Division) will amalgamate to form a Divisional District. The project will also allow Wan Chai District Headquarters and Wan Chai Division to move to the Arsenal House Complex by the fourth quarter of 2010.

Information and Communication Technology

In 2008, the Communications Branch under the Information Systems Wing received the Outstanding Contribution to Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) Award during the TETRA World Congress held in Hong Kong. The TETRA-based Third Generation Command and Control Communication System uses advanced digital radio technology to support frontline police officers and enhance their operational efficiency. The Police Force is among the most advanced users in the field of communications technology in the Asia-Pacific Region.