Police Won't Lower Guard Around July 1: Chief

Police Commissioner Raymond Siu said on Tuesday that his officers won't lower their guard in the run-up to celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the handover on July 1.

Siu said while he doesn't have any news on whether a state leader will visit Hong Kong, all staff, including back-office workers and auxiliary officers, will be mobilised to take part in a security operation.

He said the police are stepping up intelligence gathering both online and offline, adding that some people are still using social media to incite others to break the law.

Siu also revealed that the force has received more than a thousand reports since its anti-terrorism hotline was launched a week ago, and some of the information was worth following up.

Speaking to reporters after appearing at a North District Council meeting, the police chief said there was no indication that the recent shooting in Central had anything to do with the upcoming handover celebrations.

"This shooting incident, from what we have gathered at this stage, is basically a dispute between two gangs in connection with some illegal activities. We think that there's no indication that this has anything to do with July 1's security operation," he said.

Siu said police are concerned about whether firearms have been trafficked to Hong Kong, but the city has been doing well in gun control.

So far, five people have been arrested and charged in connection with the case and the force is offering a HK$250,000 reward for information on the incident.

At the council meeting, chairman Law Ting-tak questioned whether fixed penalty tickets police are issuing to those who flout social distancing rules are of any help in fighting Covid-19.

In response, the police chief said officers have a responsibility to enforce the law.

Siu also said he didn't break any law by attending the birthday party of National People's Congress delegate Witman Hung earlier this year – just as the fifth wave of Covid infections began – adding that he is not interested in alcohol.