Public Order 1 349
Illegal Immigration and Unlawful Employment
During the year, 2 419 illegal immigrants from the Mainland were apprehended and repatriated, compared with 3 364 in 2004.
The Immigration Department set up an Anti-Illegal Workers Combat Squad in January, a fast and robust force to combat the problem of illegal workers and their employers. Its main duties involve conducting undercover patrols at illegal worker black spots and taking immediate action after reports of illegal workers. The Tactical Squad, also set up in January, will assist in both passenger clearance at Lo Wu and other control points and enforcement operations against immigration offenders.
In 2005, 12 468 illegal workers were arrested in 6 497 operations compared to 15 727 arrested in 7 659 operations in 2004. The vast majority of illegal workers were visitors who had breached their conditions of stay.
Illegal workers were prosecuted and either fined or jailed before being repatriated to their places of origin. Their employers were also prosecuted. In 2005, 450 employers of illegal workers were prosecuted, compared with 507 in 2004.
Deportation and Removal
The Immigration Department processes deportation and removal orders. During the year, 7 691 people convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment for not less than two years were considered for deportation and 551 were deported. Another 868 were removed from the HKSAR under removal orders, covering nine illegal immigrants and 859 people who had breached their conditions of stay.
Investigation and Prosecution of immigration Offences
During the year, 19 273 charges were laid against people who had committed various immigration offences. These included remaining in the HKSAR illegally, breaching conditions of stay, making false statements or representations and using or possessing forged travel documents.
Fire Services
The Fire Services Department fights fires, protects life and property in case of fires and other calamities, provides emergency ambulance services and gives fire protection advice to the public.
The department, which has 8 594 uniformed and 590 civilian members, is one of the world's finest Fire brigades with well-trained personnel, advanced communications systems and modern equipment and appliances.
The department responded to 37 741 fire calls, 20 813 special service calls and 584 882 ambulance calls in 2005.
Fire-fighting and Rescue
Of the 37 741 fire calls received in 2005, six were classified as major fires of No. 3 alarm and above. Careless handling or disposal of smoking materials was still the major cause of fires, totalling 2 247 cases in all, followed by accidents involving the preparation of foodstuffs which accounted for 2 113 cases and electrical faults,