ENG-1999 — Page 371

PUBLIC ORDER

Detection of Forged Travel Documents

Strict measures were taken to guard against the use of forged travel documents. Officers detected a total of 3 530 forged travel documents during the year, compared with 3 594 in 1998. 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 1999, 171 619 wanted persons were intercepted at immigration control points and other offices. They were suspected to be connected with trafficking of dangerous drugs and other criminal offences such as murder and robbery.

Illegal Immigration and Unlawful Employment

In 1999, 13 262 illegal immigrants were apprehended and repatriated, compared with 15 925 in 1998.

Illegal workers comprised mainly illegal immigrants and visitors who breached their condition of stay. They were attracted to the HKSAR to take up illegal employment. The lower wages these illegal workers would accept 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 1999, 1 377 operations were conducted and 4 314 illegal workers were arrested, compared with 2 178 operations and 5 949 arrests in 1998.

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 1999, 393 employers of illegal workers were prosecuted, compared with 490 in 1998.

Deportation and Removal

The department processes deportation and removal orders. During the year, 6 225 persons convicted of possessing or trafficking in dangerous drugs, deception, theft, forgery and other criminal offences were considered for deportation and 677 were deported. Another 881 were removed from the HKSAR under removal orders. These included 93 illegal immigrants, mostly from the Mainland, and 788 people who had breached their conditions of stay.

Investigation and Prosecution of Immigration Offences

During the year, 26 912 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 fires and other calamities, provides emergency ambulance services and gives fire protection advice to the public.

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