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On June 10 the delegation travelled to Shanghai where they had meetings with Shanghai Public Security Bureau (PSB) Director, Mr Wu Zhiming, and his senior staff. Shanghai recently established an Interpol Office and it was agreed that Hong Kong and Shanghai should open a direct communication channel on a 24-hour basis in a boost to fight against cross-boundary crime. Hitherto, the Force only had direct contact with their Guangdong counterparts and communications with Shanghai (and other provinces) was via Beijing.
The two sides would communicate by telephone, e-mail and fax whenever necessary and there would be a formal meeting between senior officers at least once a year. Mr Tsang believed the new arrangements would result in closer cross-boundary co-operation in the fight against economic and organised crime. Mr Wu agreed, noting that the two cities had much in common, especially in the financial sector, and that closer, direct communication would enhance their joint fight against crime.
On June 11, the Force delegation arrived in Guangzhou and then travelled to Panyu County where they met with Guangdong PSB officials. The two sides held further and more detailed discussions on their cooperation in the fight against cross-boundary crime.
Guangdong PSB Deputy Director, Mr Zheng Shaodong, and Mr Tsang agreed to step up joint efforts to prevent illegal firearms being brought into Hong Kong, and to strengthen co-operation in the fight against drug trafficking.
The two law enforcement agencies agreed to establish a database on ballistics identification, and to send forensic firearms experts from the two forces to relevant conferences and training courses to enhance their professional capabilities.
Mr Zheng also agreed to prevent Mainlanders with Hong Kong criminal records from re-entering the territory as soon as the new database on their records was up and running.
The final working meeting was with Shenzhen PSB officials on June 12. After the meeting Mr Tsang announced that there would be more frequent meetings by their respective liaison officers and that there would be a review of the efficacy of the recently established Shenzhen-Hong Kong Land Boundary Police Co-operation Scheme. Under the Scheme, visitors to Hong Kong or Shenzhen could report crimes after they had returned to their homes and rest assured that they would be properly investigated by the other side. To date, some 326 requests for assistance had been received -- most of which involved allegations of theft.
Mr Tsang passed on two warnings to Hong Kong visitors from Shenzhen PSB Director Mr Li Feng. Mr Li warned that unlicensed taxi drivers operating in vehicles disguised as genuine taxis were involved in robbing their clients. Police have so far arrested 41 people involved in 116 cases. He also warned that some gangs used attractive young women to lure men to apartments where they can be robbed. Shenzhen Police recently smashed seven such syndicates preying on male visitors.
Police Report No.4
Isued by PPRB
Ends/Tuesday, June 17, 2003
Issued at HKT 15:18
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