Police respected the public's rights to express their views, and facilitated public meetings and processions while minimising inconvenience to the people and ensuring public safety and order, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said today.

Speaking after inspecting a Police College passing-out parade, Mr Lee noted the numbers of public meetings and processions were rising, with more than 6,800 last year, a daily average of more than 18.

"Most of the public meetings and public processions have been conducted peacefully. However, I understand that it is very difficult and tough for frontline officers to handle the radical behaviour of some participants and that the officers are put under enormous pressure."

He commended Police for displaying professionalism and restraint in handling radical protesters.

Mr Lee said the overall recorded crime rate last year per 100,000 population was 1,074, lower than many large cities like Tokyo and London. He attributed this to the force’s dedicated effort to fight crime.

He encouraged the 32 probationary inspectors and 148 recruit constables who passed out today to achieve fairness and justice in enforcing the law, and always put into practice the discipline, knowledge and skills learned at the college.