252
PUBLIC ORDER
Interception of Wanted Persons During the year, 59 216 persons were intercepted at immigration control points and immigration and registration of persons offices. Of these, 662 were wanted in connection with murder cases, 900 were suspected robbers, 23 563 were involved in the trafficking of dangerous drugs and 33 455 were related to other criminal offences. In addition, 43 known or suspected terrorists were identified on their arrival and prevented from entering Hong Kong.
Illegal Immigration
Frequent checks are conducted at suspicious locations, including construction sites, factories, restaurants and other places of employment. Illegal immigrants so arrested are prosecuted and sentenced to imprisonment before they are repatriated to their place of origin. With the aid of the Identity Card Information System, round the clock record checks are provided to enable law enforcement officers to verify the authenticity of identity cards in field operations.
In 1988, a total of 21 001 illegal immigrants were apprehended and repatriated. Employers of illegal immigrants were also prosecuted and fined but in serious cases, custodial sentences were imposed. As a result, the number of illegal immigrants dropped significantly in the latter half of the year.
Investigation and Prosecution of Immigration Offences
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During the year, a total of 6 532 charges were laid against persons who had committed various immigration offences. Apart from illegal immigration, these offences include illegally remaining, breach of condition of stay, making false statements or representations, conspiracy in the use and supply of forged documents.
Deportation and Removal
Immigration Department is responsible for the application, issue, and execution of deporta- tion and removal orders. During the year, 4 422 persons who were convicted of possessing or trafficking in dangerous drugs, deception, theft and other criminal offences were con- sidered for deportation and subsequently 61 were deported from Hong Kong. In addition, 2 440 persons were removed from Hong Kong under removal orders. These included 2 063 illegal immigrants and 377 persons who had breached their condition of stay.
Civil Aid Services
The Civil Aid Services (CAS) is an auxiliary emergency measures organisation which supports other regular government services in emergencies. It is financed by government and has an establishment of 3 724 adult uniformed and disciplined volunteers, 3 030 cadets and 116 permanent staff.
Role and Responsibilities
The tasks of the service are numerous and far-reaching, with a heavy emphasis on coping with natural disasters and performing civic duties. The volunteers are trained to: perform duties during tropical cyclones and when landslips and flooding occur, search and rescue persons trapped in collapsed buildings, fight forest fires and patrol country parks, manage refugee camps, combat oil pollution at sea, assist the police in crowd control, perform first aid, casulty handling and evacuation, and carry out mountain rescue operations. On any weekend or public holiday it is normal for over 400 volunteers to be on duty.