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Police today (March 27) called on members of the public not to bring prohibited items such as flick-knives, tear gas aerosols and bullets to Hong Kong as the act may constitute a criminal offence liable to fines and imprisonment.

Speaking at a press briefing this morning, the District Commander of Airport, Mr Chau Kwok-leung, said that Police took a serious attitude towards enforcement actions against possession of arms, ammunition and weapons in order to maintain law and order and to protect the life and property of people in Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world. The stringent control over possession of weapons is one of the major factor contributing to the good law and order situation," he said.

In 2001, 27 persons were arrested for possession of prohibited items at the airport. Of them, 14 were arrested for possession of flick-knives, nine for possession of ammunition and four for possession of tear gas aerosols.

Seventeen were bounded over by court ranging from $500 to $2,000, one was fined $1,500, one was given a Superintendent's Discretion, one was acquitted after trial and seven were released after being warned.

"The weapons seized during security screening reflect the high level of security at the Hong Kong International Airport," Mr Chow stressed.

He added that possession of bullets or tear gas aerosols without a licence is an offence liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and 14 years' imprisonment under the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance, while possession of a flick-knife is an offence liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and three years' imprisonment under the Weapons Ordinance.

Police Report No. 3

Issued by PPRB

End/1345 hours, March 27, 2002 (RCH/PW)

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