ENG-1998 — Page 376

PUBLIC ORDER

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Detection of Forged Travel Documents

Strict measures were taken to guard against the use of forged travel documents. Officers detected a total of 3 594 forged travel documents during the year, compared with 3 083 in 1997. Frequent contacts with local and overseas law enforcement agencies and consulates were maintained. Special operations were mounted against forgery syndicates.

Interception of Wanted Persons

In 1998, 135 010 wanted persons were intercepted at immigration control point and other offices. They were suspected in connection with trafficking of dangerous drugs and other criminal offences such as murder and robbery.

Illegal Immigration and Unlawful Employment

In 1998, 15 925 illegal immigrants were apprehended and repatriated, compared with 19 584 in 1997. The influx of illegal immigrant children subsided with the interception figure dropping from 2 257 in 1997 to 309 in 1998.

Illegal workers were either illegal immigrants or visitors who breached their condition of stay. They were attracted to HKSAR to take up illegal employment. The lower wages accepted by these illegal workers encouraged unscrupulous employers to offer them employment. The Immigration Task Force conducted frequent checks at targeted locations, including construction sites, factories, restaurants and other places of employment. In 1998, 2 178 operations were conducted and 5 949 illegal workers were arrested, compared with 1 897 operations and 3 992 arrests in 1997.

The illegal workers were prosecuted and either fined or gaoled before being repatriated to their places of origin. Employers of illegal workers were also prosecuted and fined and, in serious cases, gaoled. In 1998, 490 employers of illegal workers were prosecuted, compared with 371 in 1997.

Deportation and Removal

The department processes deportation and removal orders. During the year, 7 855 persons convicted of possessing or trafficking in dangerous drugs, deception, theft, forgery and other criminal offences were considered for deportation and 606 were deported. Another 1 189 were removed from the HKSAR under removal orders. These included 460 illegal immigrants, mostly from the Mainland, and 729 people who had breached their condition of stay.

Investigation and Prosecution of Immigration Offences

During the year, 25 970 charges were laid against persons who had committed various immigration offences. These included: remaining in the HKSAR illegally, breach of conditions of stay, making false statements or representations, and using or possessing forged documents.

Fire Services

The Fire Services Department fights fires, protects life and property in case of fire and other calamity, provides emergency ambulance services and gives fire protection advice to the public.

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