Hong Kong Launches International Correctional Services Tactics Training Academy to Enhance Global Law Enforcement Collaboration

Opening ceremony of Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy held today

The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (January 27) held the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy, implementing the relevant policy initiative announced by the Chief Executive in his latest Policy Address. With the motto of "Fusing East and West through tactics; Forging new heights through synergy", the Academy aims to promote the sharing of emergency response tactics and experiences among law enforcement agencies from different jurisdictions, thereby further enhancing the CSD's collaboration with them and professional capabilities of each other.

The Academy is situated at the former Cape Collinson Correctional Institution. In addition to offering a wide range of training facilities, it offers an authentic correctional institution environment to provide members of law enforcement teams from the Mainland and overseas with professional correctional response tactics training. The Academy also aims to promote exchanges of correctional response tactics and relevant areas between the CSD's response teams and trainees from the Mainland and overseas, with a view to enhancing each other's capabilities and tactics when handling emergencies.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, said that the Academy stands as a bold testament to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's vision in correctional services: establishing a global hub where knowledge converges, skills are honed and professionalism is elevated. The Academy is poised to become a beacon of tactical mastery. It will provide meticulously crafted training courses for correctional and law enforcement professionals from around the world. It is also a dynamic platform for the exchange of cutting-edge tactics, where experience meets innovation, and where every lesson learned strengthens the fabric of correctional security.

Speaking to guests from around the world, Mr Tang said, "Your participation is a powerful affirmation and a shared declaration that in our interconnected world, security is a collective endeavour, and progress is forged through learning, understanding and collaboration. Here within the Academy, let our interaction spark insight, every drill deepen capabilities, and every shared experience weave stronger bonds of international fellowship."

The Academy offers tactics training courses that combine both theory and practice, including the Certificate in Safe and Effective Control Tactics, the Certificate in Close Quarter Defense and Control Technique, and other courses relating to correctional response forces' anti-riot tactics. The Academy also plans to progressively introduce instructor courses, enabling graduates to provide relevant training for other personnel to elevate professional standards after their return to their respective organisations. In addition, the Academy will proactively reach out to correctional institutions worldwide to foster learning and exchanges among different jurisdictions.

The first batch of 29 participants from the Mainland, Macao, Brunei, Fiji, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Vietnam arrived in Hong Kong on January 26 for tactical exchanges with the CSD's response teams and the Certificate in Safe and Effective Control Tactics course. This course was formulated by the CSD and pitched at Level 3 under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. The course aims to teach frontline law enforcement officers to apply self-defence and control techniques with a low level of harm to reduce the risk of injury to both law enforcement officers and those being controlled, while ensuring effective self-defence and control.

Opening ceremony of Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony of Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony of Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony of Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony of Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

May 2026

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Eastern

Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho

9.1%

1.4

Islands

Tung Chung

2.0%

1.0

Kowloon City

Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan

6.7%

1.5

Tai Po

Tai Po East

2.2%

2.0

Tai Po West

15.5%

1.0

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun South

9.1%

1.4

District

Survey Area

May 2026

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Central and Western

Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui

16.8%

1.3

Eastern

Chai Wan

15.4%

1.0

North Point and Quarry Bay

18.9%

1.4

Southern

Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau

20.8%

1.7

Sha Tin

Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan

18.3%

1.4

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan Town

6.9%

2.3

The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.

With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.

For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside the premises;

remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;

check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;

change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;

properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;

properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and

scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases