​Hong Kong Customs and the Fire Services Department (FSD) co-organised a counter-terrorism exercise codenamed "GATEKEEPER" yesterday (November 4) afternoon at the Passenger Clearance Building of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port.
About 100 officers from Customs and the FSD participated in the exercise, which comprised two scenarios. The first scenario simulated the identification of a passenger suspected to be related to terrorist activities during Customs clearance at the Passenger Clearance Building. The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit was immediately informed of the incident for follow-up action.
The second scenario demonstrated the effective activation of the contingency response plan by Customs officers against a biochemical attack attempted by a radical at the Passenger Clearance Building. Customs officers evacuated the building in an orderly and safe manner after subduing the attacker. FSD officers sped to the scene upon being summoned to mount a rescue operation and handle the hazardous material.
Through the exercise, Customs and the FSD aimed to raise frontline officers' awareness of counter-terrorism and their capability to handle counter-terrorism intelligence. The exercise also served to enhance the co-ordination and communication between the two departments and strengthen the response capabilities of the officers in the event of terrorist incidents for better protecting the lives and property of the public.
Ends/Friday, November 5, 2021
