************************************************************
Following is a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Hon Emily Lau in the Legislative Council today (January 18):
Question:
I have learnt that some officers of the Immigration Department ("immigration officers") have been assaulted by travellers when discharging duties at the various boundary control points. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:
(a) of the number of cases of immigration officers being assaulted by travellers at boundary control points in the past three years; and the number of such cases reported to the Police for handling, together with the respective numbers of persons who were prosecuted and convicted;
(b) whether the authorities have any special arrangement for the convicted attackers when they visit Hong Kong again;
(c) of the measures adopted to prevent such acts of violence from taking place at the various boundary control points; and
(d) whether consideration will be given to increasing the number of immigration officers stationed at the various boundary control points to ensure their safety in discharging duties?
Reply:
President,
Regarding the cases of immigration staff being assaulted by travellers when discharging duties at the boundary control points, my reply is as follows:
(a) There were 16 cases of immigration staff assaulted by travellers at the boundary control points in the past three years. All were reported to the Police for following up. Among them, nine were subsequently prosecuted and convicted.
(b) When travellers convicted of such an offence seek to enter Hong Kong again, immigration staff will take into consideration their adverse record in deciding whether to permit their entry.
(c) and (d) The Immigration Department (ImmD) will seriously handle each assault case in accordance with the law to ensure the safety of immigration staff when discharging duties. Besides, all the immigration staff stationed at the boundary control points have received training in handling contingencies (including the handling of violent incidents). The ImmD will augment its manpower and flexibly deploy its staff in the light of the passenger traffic and operational needs at the various control points.
Ends/Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:52
NNNN