ENG-2006 — Page 397

Public Order | 329

Illegal Immigration and Unlawful Employment

During the year, 3 151 illegal immigrants from the Mainland were apprehended and repatriated, compared with 2 419 in 2005.

The Immigration Department set up an Anti-Illegal Workers Combat Squad in January 2005, a fast moving and robust force to combat the problem of illegal workers and the people who employ them. Its main duties involve conducting undercover patrols at illegal worker black spots. A Tactical Squad, also set up in January 2005, assists in both passenger clearance at Lo Wu and other control points and in operations against immigration offenders.

In 2006, some 10 325 illegal workers were arrested in 9 183 raids compared with 12 468 arrests in 6 497 made during operations in 2005. The vast majority of illegal workers were visitors who had breached their conditions of stay.

Illegal workers were either fined or jailed before being repatriated to their places of origin. Their employers were also prosecuted. In 2006, a total of 434 charges were laid against employers of illegal workers.

Deportation and Removal

The Immigration Department processes deportation and removal orders. During the year, some 8 032 people convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment for not less than two years were considered for deportation and 485 such persons were deported. Another 558 were removed from the HKSAR. They comprised six illegal immigrants and 552 people who had breached their conditions of stay.

Investigation and Prosecution of Immigration Offences

During the year, a total of 16 587 charges were laid against people who had committed various immigration offences. These included people remaining in Hong Kong illegally, people who breached conditions of stay, people who made false statements or representations or who used or possessed forged travel documents.

Fire Services

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

The department has 8 656 uniformed and 596 civilian members and 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 33 268 fire calls, 21 383 special service calls and 575 666 ambulance calls in 2006.

Fire-fighting and Rescue

Of the 33 268 fire calls received in 2006, 14 were classified as major fires, or No.3 alarms and above. Most of the outbreaks occurred during the preparation of foodstuffs. There were 2 186 such cases in 2006. Careless handling or disposal of smoking materials was the second major cause of fires, accounting for