Police will adopt a multi-agency approach and an effective operational strategy to manage the Olympic equestrian events and develop appropriate contingency plans, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

Speaking at a special meeting of the Legislative Council's Finance Committee today Mr Lee said Police will ensure the smooth running of the equestrian events and maintain effective day-to-day police services.

On the $28.4 billion allocation for the security policy area group in the draft Estimates for 2008-09, Mr Lee said $28.4 billion will be spent on security policy while $24.7 billion will go towards internal security and immigration control.

Extra staff

Police will provide additional manpower to form a dedicated financial intelligence team for the fight against terrorist financing and the financing of weapons of mass destruction, as well as to enhance liaison, co-operation and intelligence exchange with consular posts and officially recognised representatives in Hong Kong.

Police will also provide additional frontline staff to strengthen operational capability in new development areas.

The Task Force on Youth Drug Abuse has devised a series of initial measures to be implemented in the short to medium term. They will account for $53 million in additional spending in 2008-09.

"The task force will continue its deliberations in the coming months with a view to drawing up further proposals to tackle the problem in a long-term and sustainable manner," he said.

e-Channel facilities

On immigration control and customs services, Mr Lee said the Immigration Department is preparing to extend e-Channel facilities at the airport to frequent visitors on a trial basis from the second quarter of 2008.

He said Hong Kong admitted more than 34,000 people through various admission arrangements in 2007, marking a near twofold increase over 2003.

Under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme introduced in 2003, a total of 1,963 applicants had been granted residence in Hong Kong up to March 1. Their total investment amounted to $13.95 billion, or on average $7.11 million per entrant which exceeded the minimum requisite amount of $6.5 million.