********************************************

In view of the latest development, a total of four organisations have informed Police of their decision to cancel their plans of holding public meetings in Central on July 9, a Police spokesman said today (July 8).

The move has resulted in more space available for the three organisations which are still planning to proceed with their events on that day.

Police are proactively and actively liaising with these organisers to see how to make better use of the additional available space around the Legislative Council Building.

"We learnt that the organisers have come to a consensus that they would use Chater Garden, Statue Square, open space underneath Hong Kong Bank headquarters and near the Cenotaph; as well as Edinburgh Place for their meetings," the spokesman said.

"We have given the organisers a positive response and advised them that these areas could accommodate about 15 000 people," he added.

The spokesman said that if all these open space were filled up, Police would implement contingency measures and this had been conveyed to the organisers.

The spokesman appealed to members of the public taking part in the events to follow the directions of the Police officers at scene when the number of participants has exceeded the total capacity of the available venues.

"This will enable the events to be conducted safely and orderly in the interests of all parties."

Police Report No. 1

Issued by PPRB

End/ 1900 hours, Tuesday, July 8, 2003

NNNN