LCQ5: Numbers of illegal immigrants intercepted within Frontier Closed Area

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Following is a question by the Hon Yeung Yiu-chung and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, in the Legislative Council today (February 6):

Question:

A Frontier Closed Area ("FCA") is currently established south of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's land administration boundary to serve as a buffer against illegal immigration, smuggling and other cross-boundary crimes. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the respective numbers of illegal immigrants ("IIs") intercepted within the FCA and those at other locations in each of the past five years;

(b) whether advanced technological equipment has been applied to enhance the efficiency in patrolling the FCA and save manpower resources; and

Reply:

President,

(a) The respective numbers of IIs intercepted within the FCA and at other locations in each of the past five years are set out below:

Year FCA Other Land Locations HKSAR Waters Total

____ _____ ____________________ ____________ ______

1997 2 404 4 589 10 826 17 819

1998 2 264 5 815 6 534 14 613

1999 2 233 4 367 5 570 12 170

2000 1 952 2 606 3 918 8 476

2001 1 440 2 090 4 792 8 322

(b) Control of the land boundary is the responsibility of the Hong Kong Police. Various measures are taken to ensure security along our land boundary. Along the 35-km long land boundary between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Mainland, a single fence with observation towers and police guard posts is erected. The fence is patrolled by police officers round-the-clock. To enhance the efficiency in enforcement of boundary security, the Police have made use of the following advanced technological equipment in their operation:

(i) Thermal Imagers (Fixed Installation) - tower mounted high-powered optical devices that detect illegal immigrants by their body heat.

(ii) Sensor Cable (Fence Mounted) - the sensor detects movements including cutting and climbing on the main fence which trigger the alarm system in control centers and police officers can be deployed to intercept the intruders within the FCA.

(iii) Under Vehicle Surveillance System - video cameras project real time images of the underside of vehicles at land crossing points to detect IIs' hiding underneath.

(iv) Infra Red Detectors - a man portable device which can be set up to detect movements along a path or suspected II route in the area south of the fence.

(v) Night Vision Devices - a variety of portable light intensification equipment used to enhance vision in low light conditions.

(c) To improve the Police's capability in intercepting IIs entering Hong Kong via the FCA, a major project is underway to upgrade the Boundary Fence Protection System. The project, featuring the following, will be completed by April 2002:

(i) replacing the existing electronic sensor cable which runs along the length of the fence.

(ii) installing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras along the fence. Video Motion Detection functions are installed at certain CCTV locations.

(iii) upgrading control facilities at the Police Operational Bases in the Police Border District.

End/Wednesday, February 6, 2002

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