Few Mainlanders travelling under the Individual Visitors Scheme commit crimes in Hong Kong, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says. He told legislators today that fewer than 12 per 100,000 scheme visitors on average have been arrested.

Since its inception in 2003, about 1,100 scheme visitors have been arrested. The figures for last year and the first 11 months of this year are 470 and 600.

About 35% were arrested for miscellaneous crimes and shop thefts, 16 % for forgery and coinage offences, and 14% for serious immigration offences, such as using or possessing a forged travel document or using an identity card relating to others.

Mr Lee said an inter-departmental working group has been formed to formulate an operational strategy with three components - to co-operate with Mainland authorities in adopting a more effective and stringent process in scrutinising exit endorsement applications, more effective screening at various immigration control points, and enhancing local enforcement.

He said a notification mechanism has been formed under which the Immigration Department can pass information on visitors convicted of criminal offences to Mainland authorities so their future applications can be scrutinised more closely.

Mr Lee reiterated that close liaison and exchange of intelligence with Mainland authorities will be maintained.