Clockenflap festival to see plain-clothes Hong Kong police in bid to deter drug-related crime
Death at recent concert fresh on force’s mind ahead of city’s largest annual music festival
Showing heightened vigilance to deter troublemakers at Hong Kong’s biggest annual music festival, police revealed plans to beef up the presence of plain-clothes officers to blend into crowds, maintain public order and scout drug-related crime after a recent concert that saw one attendee die.
The annual festival, celebrating its 10th year, is to kick off on Friday evening at Central Harbourfront with more than 100 international, regional and local acts playing across five stages.
A police insider told the Post that plain-clothes officers would move among the crowds to watch for illegal drug activity and potential trouble.
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“To curb the risk of overdoses, we’ll be on the lookout for anyone selling, distributing, or consuming drugs,” the source said. “It’s possible that revellers might bring minute amounts of controlled drugs such as marijuana for their own consumption. We have to stress they’re liable to seven years’ imprisonment if they’re caught possessing, inhaling or injecting a dangerous drug.”
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The police insider said the force would “step up patrol nearby” the festival venue.
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“The vehicle barriers, designed to jam vehicle tyres to make them stop, can withstand a car or truck driven at high speed.”
Since its launch in 2008, Clockenflap has evolved into Hong Kong’s largest annual celebration of music and the arts. The festival showcases world-famous musical acts as well as DJs from the city and region.
Three-day general admission tickets at the door are priced at HK$1,940, with general admission tickets for Friday going for HK$1,030. A general admission ticket for Saturday or Sunday is HK$1,100.
A police spokeswoman said the force would conduct a threat assessment for the event and deploy appropriate manpower to implement crowd management and special traffic arrangements to maintain public order and safety.
The event organiser said audience safety remained its top priority. It planned to be rigorous in checking bags and install CCTV to look for problems.
“(We have) a team of international security professionals with a combined 145 years of experience working at large festivals,” the organiser said. “They manage the local teams that are hand-picked by our head of security.”
It added it would provide free water bottles and a well-equipped medics team would handle illnesses and injuries.
