ENG-2011 — Page 375

Public Order | 323

Illegal Immigration

In 2011, a total of 2 178 illegal immigrants were arrested, a decrease of 29.6 per cent compared with 3 092 in 2010. The number of non-ethnic Chinese illegal immigrants arrested fell to 266, a decline of 29.4 per cent compared with 377 in 2010.

The Police Force and other government departments continued to work together in combating illegal immigration despite the marked decline in such activity. Close liaison and co-operation were also maintained with the Guangdong Border Defence Bureau to strengthen enforcement actions at the boundary.

Crime Prevention

The Crime Prevention Bureau (CPB) continued to enhance public awareness of the benefits of crime prevention through publicity campaigns, joint efforts with government departments, seminars for established organisations, and security equipment and Robotcop shows.

The CPB continued to work closely with the security industry to ensure that security companies, security personnel and monitored alarm systems were of the highest standard.

Forensic Support

The Identification Bureau (IB) continued to play an important role in supporting crime investigations and prosecutions by providing fingerprint collection and photography services as well as collecting DNA evidence from crime scenes. During the year, it established the criminal history of 61 357 individuals, linking 1 540 people to 1 356 criminal cases.

Led by the Security Bureau, the IB implemented the Sexual Conviction Record Check Scheme, providing employers with a reliable channel whereby they may ascertain whether applicants applying for work relating to children or mentally incapacitated persons have any sexual conviction records.

The Forensic Firearms Examination Bureau continued to provide professional and efficient forensic firearms examination services to Hong Kong courts. During the first quarter of the year, it was involved in the forensic investigation of the Manila hostage incident and provided expert testimony at the death inquest.

Liaison

The Liaison Bureau serves as a conduit for communication between the Police. Force, and the Mainland Public Security Bureau, overseas law enforcement agencies and their liaison officers stationed in Hong Kong.

The bureau also assists the Department of Justice in handling overseas requests for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the surrender of fugitive offenders. By the end of the year, the Government had signed bilateral agreements with 27 jurisdictions on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and 18 jurisdictions on surrender of fugitive offenders.

Page 375Page 376