Hong Kong police to deploy 6,000 officers backed by security camera system on National Day
More personnel needed to enforce crowd control measures, particularly during fireworks display, insider says
Police will mobilise more than 6,000 officers to bolster security across Hong Kong on National Day on Tuesday, aided by the force’s new surveillance cameras to monitor conditions on the ground in real time, the Post has learned.
The deployment involves about 2,000 more officers than what the force used on the 27th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule on July 1, while sources familiar with police operations said on Friday the number was comparable with last year’s.
More personnel were needed on National Day to enforce crowd control measures, particularly during the fireworks display, an insider said.
“Up to 2,000 officers will be tasked with managing the crowds along the waterfronts on both sides of Victoria Harbour,” he said. “Officers will be stationed a few metres apart along the police passage behind the fences to prevent revellers from crossing the barriers and accidentally falling into the water.”
Police would also use the newly installed police surveillance cameras to assess the crowd situation when necessary, the source said.
The October 1 fireworks will also be preceded by a drone show for the first time, which could increase the size of the crowds.
