FEHD Investigates Malicious Damage to Mong Kok's Environmental Hygiene; Suspect Arrested

FEHD investigates malicious act undermining environmental hygiene

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (June 5) that the department is investigating a suspected incident of malicious damage to environmental hygiene in Mong Kok District last month. The person involved has been arrested.

Last month, media reported rubbish scattered on the ground near a litter container in Mong Kok, with rodents feeding on the refuse. Following investigation, the FEHD found that the rubbish had been deliberately poured off from the litter container by a suspect, who also interfered with the rodent trapping device set up by the department. With the assistance of the Police, the man involved has been arrested.

The spokesman said that the FEHD condemns acts that maliciously undermine environmental hygiene. The department will conduct further investigation and will initiate prosecution if sufficient evidence is available.

According to the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation (Cap. 132BK), raking waste is an offence. Offenders are liable to a fine of $5,000 on first conviction, and $10,000 on subsequent convictions. Under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), interfering with equipment used by the FEHD for destroying and removing vermin is also an offence. Offenders are liable to a fine of $5,000.

The spokesman said that the department has also stepped up enforcement in Mong Kok against illegal acts such as illegal refuse disposal, including surprise operations conducted during early morning and evening hours. In May alone, the FEHD issued 160 fixed penalty notices to offenders pursuant to the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance (Cap. 570) in Mong Kok. At the same time, the FEHD has strengthened cleaning and rodent control work in rear lanes across Mong Kok. The department will continue to closely monitor the hygiene conditions in the area and take appropriate action as necessary.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Photo source: reference image

Inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise WATCHER successfully concluded

Hong Kong Customs, in collaboration with the Immigration Department (ImmD), conducted a joint counter-terrorism exercise codenamed "WATCHER" this morning (July 28) at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.

About 100 officers from Customs and the ImmD participated in the exercise. The exercise simulated a scenario in a joint departmental counter-terrorism operation during a major festival, where the driver and passenger of an outbound private car were suspected to be related to terrorist activities. Officers subsequently detected suspected terrorism-related items and forged travel documents inside the vehicle. During the examination, a suspected bomb device was discovered at the outbound private car kiosk. Officers immediately initiated an evacuation operation, evacuating all persons at the scene in a safe and orderly manner.

This exercise enhanced frontline officers' counter-terrorism awareness and their capabilities to handle counter-terrorism intelligence, while strengthening inter-departmental co-ordination and communication in response to terrorism-related emergencies, protecting the lives and property of citizens as well as safeguarding national security.

Inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise WATCHER successfully concluded Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise WATCHER successfully concluded Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise WATCHER successfully concluded Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise WATCHER successfully concluded Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise WATCHER successfully concluded Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases