LCQ2: Application of innovative technologies in law enforcement
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Question:
It is learnt that the application of innovative technologies is increasingly common in the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) of the Government, and various disciplined services are already equipped with different types of drones as well as mounted instrument systems to enhance work efficiency. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the current number of drones procured by each LEA and the costs involved; the number of operations executed by such drones and their scope of work in the current year, and whether various LEAs have formulated mechanisms to protect personal privacy in respect of the application of drones;
(2) whether it will study enhancing the application of drones in law enforcement, as well as expanding their inspection coverage and regularising their patrol arrangements, so as to combat crimes such as fly-tipping activities and burglaries in rural areas; and
(3) as it has been reported that the use of automated drones has been introduced under the Pilot Scheme for Operational Deployment of Drones of the Police to carry out border patrol work, but there are views that under poor lighting conditions at night, it is difficult for the pilots and observers operating the drones to effectively identify suspicious persons, whether the Police have plans to make use of advanced apparatus or artificial intelligence technologies to enhance the capability of drones to identify suspicious persons, so as to further enhance patrol efficiency?
Reply:
President,
The Security Bureau has been actively encouraging and supporting the application of various innovative technologies in its disciplined services and auxiliary services to enhance service efficiency and quality. In particular, drone technology is gaining popularity and has become a major tool used worldwide in the areas of law enforcement and emergency response. The disciplined services and auxiliary services are using drone technology as appropriate through adopting different strategies and assessing the situation according to actual operational needs, in order to enhance service quality and operational efficiency.
The reply to the Member's question is as follows:
(1) The disciplined services and auxiliary services are, having regard to various operational needs, equipped with drones of different sizes and related instrument systems to enhance operational efficiency, thereby better utilising manpower resources. The number of drones purchased, the relevant expenditure and the number of tasks performed by drones in respective disciplined services and auxiliary services as of June 30, 2025 are set out in the Annex.
As regards the scope of tasks, the use of drone technology is increasingly common in the disciplined services/auxiliary services. Examples include:
1. Crime detection and investigation: Drones are used in operations conducted by the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department and the Immigration Department (ImmD). Equipped with high-resolution cameras for video recording at crime scenes, especially in the countryside and at the sea where access by persons are relatively difficult, the drones are capable of assisting in investigation and evidence collection;
2. Beat patrolling and crime prevention: The HKPF officially launched the Pilot Scheme for "Operational Deployment of Drones" in May this year. Drones are used to perform patrols in the Border District and Kowloon West Region. In the Border District, the HKPF deployed an automated drone docking system which utilises smart planning of flight paths to enable automatic patrol operations. With drones conducting patrols within pre-defined zones, efficiency of border patrol is enhanced and police deployment has become more flexible. As for Kowloon West Region, through flexible deployment of drones for high-altitude patrols, the patrol coverage is expanded and operational efficiency is enhanced. It also boosts rapid response capabilities and optimises resource allocation of the Police;
Since the launch of the Pilot Scheme in May, the use of drones has assisted the Police in detecting four cases so far, with three persons arrested. The HKPF will review the implementation progress of the Pilot Scheme as well as its effectiveness. In parallel, the HKPF will study the enhancement of the Pilot Scheme and will further expand its coverage to Cheung Chau Division and the Central District, which is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year;
3. Maintaining of public safety and public order; management of crowds and traffic: Drones are used by the HKPF to monitor crowd and traffic flow in large‑scale events. Through real-time images, potential safety hazards are promptly identified. The HKPF introduced a drone system capable of hovering at designated locations for an extended period of time for illumination and broadcasting, sending safety reminders to members of the public;
4. Rescue operations: The HKPF, the Fire Services Department (FSD) and the Civil Aid Service use drones to surmount harsh conditions and quickly reach scenes like cliffs and mountains to assist in the search for missing persons. Throughout the rescue process, drones can conduct surveillance to ensure safety at the site. In addition, in major and special incidents where the scenes are complicated, drones can take high-definition photographs of collapsed and deformed debris for the production of three-dimensional models, thereby facilitating the assessment and planning of rescue operations by ground rescue personnel. If necessary, the airdrop system installed at the drones can be used to drop necessities to stranded persons;
5. Firefighting: The FSD uses drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras to monitor temperature changes at the fire scene from multiple angles in the air. Based on such data, incident commanders can work out firefighting strategies and devise entry and evacuation routes to enhance the efficiency of firefighting and rescue operations and ensure the safety of rescue workers; and
6. Management of prisons and detention facilities: To further strengthen the security of these facilities, drone technology is employed by the Correctional Services Department and the ImmD to assist in the inspection of security facilities, for example, examining the deteriorating conditions of boundary fencing and checking roof-tops of buildings for anomalous objects, as well as assisting in taking swift emergency response actions.
While applying drone technology, the disciplined services and auxiliary services will exercise stringent control and supervision in the course of performing their duties to ensure that the operation of the drones is safe and complies with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, so as to protect the privacy of the public. The disciplined services and auxiliary services will strictly comply with the Guidance on CCTV Surveillance and Use of Drones issued by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. For example, internal guidelines are formulated to regulate flight missions of the disciplined services and auxiliary services, video footage collected are handled properly, and flight paths are carefully planned to avoid unnecessary proximity to the public and residential areas.
(2) In addition to the Pilot Scheme for "Operational Deployment of Drones" mentioned above, the HKPF is currently using drones in other specific operations, including anti-burglary patrols in rural areas to see if there are suspicious persons lingering or hiding. Other illegal activities, such as fly-tipping, that are detected during the patrols will be referred to relevant departments for follow-up actions.
(3) The drones being used by the HKPF is equipped with various functions, including artificial intelligence technology. They are also fitted with thermal imaging cameras and night vision cameras to provide efficient and effective technological support for the detection of different types of crime during night time when lighting is inadequate.
As drone technology matures, drones have become more versatile in terms of their functions. The disciplined services and auxiliary services will consistently observe innovative technology development while reviewing the application of various technologies, including the effectiveness of the use of drones. Meanwhile, the disciplined services and auxiliary services will examine ways to further enhance their service quality and operational efficiency through the use of advanced technologies.
Ends/Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:18
Issued at HKT 12:18
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