The Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, said maintaining public safety was the top priority of the police, while at the same time safeguarding public order and satisfying the public’s right to information.

Mr Wong commented today on a recent incident involving reports that a bomb had been placed in a local hotel. He said 60 percent to 70 percent of reports related to perceived risk to public safety were in fact false alarms. The police needed to ensure public safety and verify supplied information before sharing it with the media. He noted that the mechanism by which the security forces communicated with the media had continual scope for enhancement.

The Secretary stated the police were not selective in terms of which incidents were reported to the public and the media. He added he hoped members of the public and the media could understand the need to protect public safety, public order and the general interests of the public.

In addition, Mr Wong said he hoped the Government would hold in November a visit to the nuclear power plant in Taishan, Guangdong Province. It was proposed that the visit would include community members. The Government had been discussing the matter with the Central Government. Detailed work was needed in order to further the consultation process between the Government and the mainland authorities.