Hong Kong police to mobilise all officers for possible state leader visit at handover bash, force chief says
- Police Commissioner Raymond Siu says security is more challenging this year because of rise in local terrorism
- Six anti-riot armoured vehicles dubbed ‘saber-toothed tigers’ to be on standby, as well as elite squads
Hong Kong police will throw an unprecedented security blanket around the city during the 25th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, with all officers to be mobilised, including elite squads, to safeguard the potential visit by the state leader and his entourage, the force’s chief has said.
Commissioner of the Hong Kong Police Force Raymond Siu Chak-yee told the Post on Monday that security was more challenging this year because of the rise of local terrorism. He added that preparations were in full swing to ensure guests’ safety, which included stepping up counterterrorism drills and patrolling social media on a daily basis for posts inciting hatred, violence and attacks against government officials.
“We cannot neglect the possibility of local terrorism and terrorist attacks. We have been making numerous arrests of people using genuine firearms and explosives,” Siu said in the interview.
“We have been able to interdict the activities, but there’s no room for complacency … It will be a very full mobilisation of our officers to deal with these security operations.”
Last month, police arrested three people and seized about 30kg (70lbs) of chemicals that could be used to make high-powered explosives. In a separate case, officers seized a high-powered submachine gun and 50 rounds of ammunition in a raid on a subdivided flat during a HK$3.6 million (US$458,892) drug bust.
The security operations will involve officers from elite squads including the Special Duties Unit, commonly known as the “Flying Tigers”, the Counter Terrorism Response Unit and the Airport Security Unit. Plain-clothes officers will also be on the ground to look out for suspicious individuals.
