Police Launch 'SPC Share the Love 2025' to Support Elderly with Blessing Bags and Community Care

2025-09-20 15:17 Last Updated At：16:53

"Senior Police Call Share the Love 2025" launched

The Senior Police Call (SPC) of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) hosted the "SPC Share the Love 2025" kick-off ceremony cum carnival today (September 20), launching year-long visits which distribute blessing bags and spread care to the elderly and those in need.

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"Senior Police Call Share the Love 2025" launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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"Senior Police Call Share the Love 2025" launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, speaking at the kick-off ceremony, stated that SPC Home Visit Captains and SPC members, along with officers from various police districts, visit the elderly to disseminate messages about crime prevention, anti-scam and road safety, assist them in mastering the use of tech tools, and distribute blessing bags that meet the practical needs of the elderly.

Mr Chow expressed his gratitude to the SPC Central Advisory Board (CAB) members, SPC Honorary Presidents and SPC members from respective police districts for their support that has contributed to the success of "SPC Share the Love". He stated that the HKPF will continue to actively support the Government’s elderly care policies and organise diverse activities and training programmes to encourage the elderly to participate actively in community affairs and unleash their full potential.

This year’s home visits will be conducted from now until August next year. A total of 10 000 blessing bags, containing food, daily necessities and the HKPF’s promotional leaflets, will be distributed by 22 police districts to those in need in the community.

Other officiating guests of the ceremony included the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Yip Wan-lung, the Director of Operations, Mr Lui Kam-ho, the Regional Commander of Marine cum the Chairperson of SPC CAB, Mr Ng Cheuk-hang; the Chief Superintendent of Public Relations Wing cum the Vice-Chairperson of SPC CAB, Mr Leung Chung-man; and representatives of SPC CAB, Dr Dominic Chu, Mr Jerome Leung and Mr Wilfred Ng. Several members of SPC CAB were also present to show their support.

After the ceremony, Mr Chow and Mr Yip, along with other officiating guests, visited the elderly at the Mong Kok Kai Fong Association Limited Chan Hing Social Service Centre and distributed blessing bags to them.

The carnival today featured various game booths promoting important messages such as national security, road safety, home safety, crime prevention and anti-scam. There were also handicraft workshops and snack stalls, as well as on-the-spot training offered to guide the elderly in using practical mobile applications. In addition to about 220 SPC Home Visit Captains and SPC members, around 250 seniors also joined the carnival.

Six illegal workers and an employer arrested in Hong Kong's anti-illegal worker operation Contribute.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Police Launch 'SPC Share the Love 2025' to Support Elderly with Blessing Bags and Community Care

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