Although the implementation of the policy has significantly reduced the number of illegal immigrants attempting to enter from China and enabled the law enforcement agencies to detect possible evaders, it has also had the effect of increasing the demand for forged documents of identity, in particular identity cards and travel documents. With such a document potential evaders are often able to convince security forces that they are already residents and so continue their stay in Hong Kong. Because driving licences cannot be used as a valid document to procure employment, their forgery may allow the evaders to pass themselves off as residents but not as persons capable of being lawfully employed.
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During the period from 24th October 1980 to 31st May 1981 127 identity cards, 99 travel documents and 50 driving licences have been found to be forged, which resulted in the arrest of a total of 186 persons. The Commissioner of Police estimates that there are about 7 possible syndicates still actively engaged in the forgery of identity documents. Details of a recent Police action which resulted in the seizure of 4, 013 forged documents and the arrest of 9 persons is at Annex E for information.
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In order to counter this development (and pending the re-issue of identity cards on which a paper will shortly be submitted to Council) it is proposed to increase the level of punishment provided for under existing legislation and to modify some of the recommendations of the Working Group as detailed in paragraph 8 above, particularly those relating to maximum penalties.
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