Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     Rioters occupied Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui and set barricades on Haiphong Road.  Police have repeatedly deployed Specialised Crowd Management Vehicles (SCMV) along Nathan Road to disperse rioters, yet some of them refused to leave. Around 11pm, rioters threw petrol bombs at Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station, posing a serious threat to the safety of the public and police officers at scene. Police warn the rioters to stop their illegal acts. Members of the public and drivers are advised to avoid travelling to the area and stay tuned to the latest traffic arrangement.
      
     Due to safety reasons, Report Room services of the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station are temporarily suspended. In case of emergency, please call 999.
      
 

     Police today (December 24) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Mong Kok.
           
     Ng Hang-yin, aged 45, went missing after she left her residence on Shanghai Street on December 17 noon. Her family made a report to Police yesterday (December 23)

     She is about 1.5 metres tall, 45 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short black hair. She was last seen wearing a red and white shirt, a black jacket and white sports shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8037 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     Since 9pm, a large group of rioters have been occupying Nathan Road and Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. They have also set barricades, damaged traffic lights and dug up bricks, seriously paralysing the traffic. Police warn all rioters that they are committing the offence of “participating in an unauthorized assembly”. In the face of the situation, Police will deploy minimum necessary force to effect dispersal and arrest.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (December 24) that due to special circumstances which happened nearby, all facilities in Kowloon Park, including Kowloon Park Sports Centre and Kowloon Park Swimming Pool in Yau Tsim Mong District, are closed to ensure the safety of venue users and staff members. The department will closely monitor the situation and announce venue arrangements in a timely manner.

     Subject to the situation, more cultural and leisure facilities in the same district and any other districts which may be affected will also be closed early and at short notice to ensure the safety of venue users. Members of the public who plan to go to those venues are advised to contact the venues concerned or 1823 in advance.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has successfully intercepted an illegal import of waste regulated electrical and electronic equipment (REE) from Panama at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals (KCCT). The importer involved, Fourgood Overseas (HK) Co., Limited, was convicted and fined $15,000 at Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (December 24) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO). This is the first importer successfully prosecuted by the EPD since the import and export control on waste REE came into effect on December 31 last year.

     An EPD spokesman said that with the assistance of the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), the EPD inspected a container that claimed to contain computer products at the KCCT in April this year. After the inspection by the EPD, it was confirmed that the container was loaded with about 700 waste computers, which are classified as waste REE, with a market value of about $100,000. The EPD immediately returned the intercepted waste to the place of origin and notified the local enforcement authority concerned about the return shipment. The EPD also instituted a prosecution against the importer under the WDO.

     The spokesman stressed that, under the WDO, anyone who imports or exports waste REE (including abandoned air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, computers, printers, scanners and monitors) must obtain a permit issued by the Director of Environmental Protection in advance. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence. To prevent Hong Kong from becoming a dumping ground for imported waste or a distribution hub for the illegal import and export of waste, the EPD will strictly enforce the law. The department also closely collaborates and exchanges intelligence with the C&ED on strengthening the interception of waste of various types entering Hong Kong illegally through different channels. Before the import and export control on waste REE came into effect, the EPD had explained the relevant measures to the trade, and reminded them of the new control requirements, through briefings, letters and visits to concerned recycling operators. These aimed to ensure that the operation of their businesses comply with the requirements of the relevant laws.

     The spokesman reminded importers and exporters of the waste electrical equipment recycling trade not to illegally import (including import into or transship through Hong Kong) or export waste REE. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment upon conviction. For subsequent offences, offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     For more information about the import and export control on waste REE, please visit the EPD's website: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/wdo_e-waste.html.