Illegal immigration is falling and the trend is set continue thanks to the efforts of the Force and its counterparts in Guangdong who completed their latest border exercise on April 19.

The message came from Director of Operations Dick Lee Ming-kwai speaking at the opening ceremony of the joint exercise with the Guangdong Border Defence Bureau (GBDB).

Officers dangle from a Government Flying Service Blackhawk helicopter

He said the exercise would further enhance the efficiency and capability of the two forces in dealing with boundary incidents, adding joint-border operations had helped deter illegal immigration and cross-boundary crimes and greatly improved the co-ordination and co-operation of the forces. He said a daily average of 30 IIs sneaked into Hong Kong throughout 1999, however the figure fell to 24 in the first three months of this year.

"Despite the fact criminal activities involving illegal immigrants were found in certain areas of the New Territories, the situation is not deteriorating. However, Police will continue to make an all-out effort to stamp out illegal immigration and criminal activities involving illegal immigrants," Mr Lee said.

Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department Deputy Director Zhang Xiaoyun agreed, saying the number of mainlanders repatriated from Hong Kong had dropped continuously in recent years with the lowest figure of 13,100 recorded in 1999. Illegal immigration for the first quarter of this year decreased 27 per cent on the same period last year.

"This indicates strengthened co-operation between Guangdong and Hong Kong," Mr Zhang said, adding concerted efforts by the two forces kept the boundary in good order.

The land and sea exercise was held at the land boundary at Luofang and at Yantian Bay and was aimed to improve the co-ordination of the forces in dealing with sudden outbreaks of boundary incidents such as large-scale illegal border crossings and other incidents requiring immediate police intervention.

The land exercise was conducted in two parts. The first, an operation to demonstrate the response of the forces to a sudden influx of people from Shenzhen. The second was based on the scenario of five armed men attempting to evade capture by crossing the land boundary after committing crimes in Hong Kong.

With aid from the Government Flying Service and Police dogs, the Quick Reaction Force intercepted three of them in Ta Kwu Ling and found two firearms in the vicinity. The other two who had crossed the border were subsequently apprehended by Guangdong officers at Luofang.

The seaborne exercise was conducted according to a similar scenario in which unruly elements were intercepted attempting to cross the boundary in speed boats and fishing vessels.

About 1,000 officers from both sides took part in the drill including 280 officers from Border District, and the Police Tactical, Police Dog and Emergency Units, as well as a fleet of 12 Police vessels.

Mr Lee hailed to officer's work in the exercise saying: "It was conducted in a most professional manner with the objectives fully achieved. A job very well done by all those involved. Thank you."