ENG-2017 — Page 318

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Public Order

Counter Terrorism

The police keep a close watch on global terrorist trends and maintain a high degree of vigilance and operational readiness commensurate with the prevailing threat level. To enhance response capabilities, counter-terrorism training and exercises are conducted regularly with relevant agencies. The police have also stepped up community education to raise awareness and advise on what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.

Traffic

During the year, 15,725 traffic accidents involved casualties, with 2,070 cases involving serious. injuries and 104 involving fatalities. There were 2 per cent fewer accidents involving casualties and 13 per cent fewer accidents involving serious injuries or fatalities than in 2016.

Public Order Events

Hong Kong residents enjoy freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly, procession and demonstration. The police facilitate all lawful and peaceful public events fairly and impartially whilst ensuring public order and safety, seeking to strike a balance between facilitating public events and minimising the adverse impact of these events on other members of the public. During the year, 11,811 public meetings and processions were held.

The police also carried out professional policing work to ensure the visit of the President of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong, celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR and other public events were held in a safe, orderly and secure

manner.

Public Relations

The Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) works in partnership with the media and the community. It disseminates information about police activities to local and overseas media round the clock and releases information on unforeseen incidents through an interactive electronic platform. The branch also helps the FCC plan and implement publicity campaigns.

The PPRB makes use of online platforms, including the police website, mobile application, YouTube channel, Facebook page and Instagram, to disseminate timely police messages to the public in innovative and interactive ways. These platforms promote communication with the public and enhance the people's understanding of policing and crime prevention measures.

The PPRB's Police Magazine, Police Report and Police Bulletin provide information on crime prevention measures and the work of individual police units. The branch also helps television broadcasters and film production companies produce dramas, documentaries and films related to police work, and offers advice and assistance on location filming. It publishes a fortnightly newspaper, OffBeat; the monthly Junior Police Call Newsletter; the quarterly Senior Police Call Newsletter and Hong Kong Police Review.

Engaging the Community

The Junior Police Call (JPC) scheme and Police School Liaison Programme serve as bridges between the police and young people, while the Senior Police Call (SPC) scheme promotes

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