In the past three years, five fires were suspected to have been caused by illegal display of fireworks or firecrackers in Hong Kong.
During the period from January 2020 to February 8 this year, 25 people were arrested by the police for suspected illegal possession of fireworks and 14 people were suspected of illegally setting off fireworks and firecrackers. A total of 39 people were arrested.
Member of the Legislative Council Leung Mei-fen pointed out that during the period from Chinese New Year's Eve to the fourth day of the Lunar New Year this year, people in many districts in Hong Kong were suspected of setting off fireworks or firecrackers illegally, regardless of the safety of others; Frightened by the loud noise produced by the firecrackers, he rushed out of the road and was killed by a vehicle.
Yang Runxiong pointed out that the police will continue to crack down on illegal activities involving fireworks.
(File photo/Photo by Chen Weici)
Yang Runxiong, director of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, said in a written reply to her question that during the period from New Year's Eve to the fourth day of the Lunar New Year in 2022, that is, from January 31 to February 4, 2022, the police received a total of 7 cases of vehicles hitting "specified animals". "Report the case.
During the same period of the Lunar New Year this year, that is, from January 21 to 25, 2023, the Police received a total of 17 reports of vehicles hitting "specified animals".
The Police do not have a breakdown of the traffic accidents involving animals that were frightened by fireworks or firecrackers and ran off the road.
According to the Road Traffic Ordinance, "specified animal" means any horse, cow, donkey, mule, sheep, pig, goat, cat or dog.
Yang Runxiong pointed out that the relevant regulations were revised in 2021. Before the revision, "specified animals" did not include cats and dogs. Therefore, before 2021, the statistics of vehicles hitting "specified animals" did not include cases related to cats and dogs. Direct comparison with relevant statistics for 2022 or beyond.
Yang Runxiong emphasized that in order to ensure public safety, the police have been actively taking intelligence-led law enforcement actions in accordance with the law, severely cracking down on illegal activities involving fireworks, and strengthening relevant law enforcement and publicity and education work during the Lunar New Year.
The Police will continue to maintain close contact with relevant departments and community stakeholders. Through collaboration and publicity and education, the public will understand the threat of fireworks and firecrackers to public safety, and prevent and combat related illegal activities.
The police went to the beach to crack down on illegal fireworks and seized 1.2 tons of fireworks and firecrackers. 【Small fireworks】Illegal fireworks "candles" are easy to buy in the market. Checkered shop online stores are available for sale. Arrested on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year for setting off fireworks on To Kwa Wan Road on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year 4 men were arrested 3 days later One of them was arrested for hiding fireworks in a private car ｜Two men from Tsz Wan Shan who secretly set off fireworks "Duzheng" were arrested