ENG-2012 — Page 337

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Public Order

Detection of Forged Travel Documents

Strict measures are taken to guard against the use of forged travel documents and the department carries out special operations against forgery syndicates. The department discovered 688 forged travel documents during the year, compared with 829 in 2011. The department maintains close contact with local, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies and consulates, and exchanges information about these documents with them.

Interception of Target or Wanted Persons

In 2012, 307,108 targeted or wanted persons were intercepted at immigration control points, suspected of being connected with offences or court orders ranging from failure to settle outstanding fines to serious crimes.

Illegal Immigration and Unlawful Employment

During 2012, 1,336 illegal immigrants from the Mainland were intercepted and sent back, compared with 1,748 in 2011.

The Immigration Department's Anti-Illegal Workers Combat Squad combats illegal employment, conducting undercover patrols at illegal worker black spots. In 2012, 5,849 illegal workers were arrested in 13,701 raids, including 190 persons arrested under section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, compared with 5,621 arrested in 11,463 raids in 2011. The vast majority of illegal workers were visitors who had breached their conditions of stay.

Illegal workers are fined and/or jailed before being sent back to their places of origin. Their employers are also liable to be prosecuted. In 2012, a total of 451 charges were laid against employers of illegal workers.

Deportation and Removal

The Immigration Department processes deportation and removal orders. In 2012, some 7,426 people convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment for not less than two years were considered for deportation, and 617 were deported. Another 1,144 were removed from the HKSAR, comprising 132 illegal immigrants and 1,012 people who had breached their conditions. of stay.

Investigation and Prosecution of Immigration Offenders

During 2012, 6,790 charges were laid against people who had committed various immigration offences, including remaining illegally in Hong Kong, breaching conditions of stay, making false statements or representations, and using or possessing forged travel documents.

Illegal immigrants or persons subject to removal or deportation orders are prohibited under section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance from taking up employment, whether paid or unpaid, and 165 people were prosecuted under that provision in 2012.

Fire Services

The Fire Services Department (FSD) fights fires, protects life and property in the event of fires and other calamities, provides emergency ambulance services, and formulates and enforces fire

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