Every time you have a hassle-free trip across the boundary at Lo Wu, thank the three Government departments that ensure efficient clearance, especially during major holidays.

Police and the Immigration and Customs & Excise Departments set up the Joint Command Centre at Lo Wu Control Point in 2003, to cater to increasing cross-boundary passenger and vehicular traffic after the implementation of the Individual Visit Scheme.

Team work: Liu Ki-sun, Chiu See-wai and Tam So-ying work closely at the Joint Command Centre to ensure smooth passenger clearance.

Integrated network

Immigration Department Sectional Commander (Lo Wu) Operations Support Chiu See-wai said the centre enables cross-boundary and inter-departmental co-operation. It also illustrates how passenger and vehicular flow can be handled flexibly and practically.

"The purpose of setting up the centre is to create closer co-operation and more direct inter-departmental communication with existing manpower and resources," he said.

"Before long holidays the relevant departments of Hong Kong will forecast the number of cross boundary passengers and vehicles and make a risk assessment based on past experiences.

"Departments will discuss and finalise action plans with the Shenzhen counterparts at the Joint Working Sub-group on Festival Cross Boundary Passengers Arrangement Meeting, and maintain close contact with immigration and customs authorities in Shenzhen when the Joint Command Centre is in operation."

Quick response

The situation at boundary control points is monitored via CCTV at the Joint Command Centre. On high-risk days commanders of the three departments give direct  commands to their units and promptly deploy staff and implement contingency plans to cope with the situation.

The 2006 Ching Ming Festival was unforgettable for Liu Ki-sun, the Police's officer in charge of Lo Wu and Man Kam To Control Point (Ta Kwu Ling).

"There was unexpectedly a large number of people crossing the border from Hong Kong that day. Lo Wu Control Point was extremely packed and we could only see heads in the departure hall from upstairs," he recalled.

"We activated the contra-flow measure and diverted departing passengers to arrival halls where counters were converted for departure. At the same time the Transport Department and MTR helped disseminate messages and co-ordinated with the parties concerned. We were able to clear the crowd within an hour."

That same day, coaches were queuing at Lok Ma Chau Control Point. The centre was alerted and immediately redeployed manpower from Lo Wu to clear the queue quickly.

The Joint Command Centre also helped enhance inter-departmental co-operation in security during major events such as the 2008 Olympics.

Award winner

The centre won the Partnership Award at the 2009 Civil Service Outstanding Service Awards.

The awards' adjudicators said the centre is a challenging joint venture, not only requiring inter-departmental co-operation, but also the support of many Mainland departments. They said the synergy generated enhances the monitoring capability of boundary control points and ensures safe and speedy clearance services. It also promotes Hong Kong's image as an international city.

Customs & Excise Department Divisional Commander (Lo Wu) Tam So-ying said all three departments work hard to meet their enforcement objectives and the centre's broad principle of ensuring smooth passenger clearance.

"The centre provides a platform for agencies to share valuable information and to coordinate measures and arrangements which continuously enhance inter-agency collaboration in clearance efficiency and law enforcement effectiveness at land boundary control points," she said.

Mr Chiu added: "We shall keep on reviewing the situation and continue to provide ongoing quality service to the public."