Border police in Shenzhen have reported an increase in the number of people caught trying to illegally enter Hong Kong so far this year by hiding underneath lorries.

Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection caught 34 people since the beginning of January, almost double the total number last year.

However the station, which overseas all checkpoints along the border, said the increase was due to improved surveillance work.

"It's a result of our escalating action against this new means of human trafficking. The increase has been curbed," an official with the station told China Daily yesterday.

Most of them secretly snuck under lorries that were transporting goods between Shenzhen and Hong Kong while drivers were away or the vehicle was stationary, and hid in some basic shelves beneath the chassis.

There have also been several instances of people hiding underneath trains.

The police force launched a special campaign in January to improve checks under lorries.

Efforts were also made to remind drivers to carefully check their vehicles before leaving for Hong Kong.

The drivers are fined between 6,000 to 10,000 yuan (US$750 to 1,250) if anyone is found underneath their lorry.

Because of the campaign, only four people have been caught since the beginning of May.

These people will be fined or handed over to the local public security bureau, he added.

Neighbouring Hong Kong, Shenzhen faces a tough task coping with people who attempt to cross the border illegally.

The total number of offenders dropped since the mainlanders in a few cities, including Shenzhen, were allowed to travel to Hong Kong in a personal capacity starting from 2004.

However, people have continued to take the risk and violate the law, said the official.

Many of them try to enter Hong Kong to work illegally, while others use the city as a way to leave for foreign countries, he said.

(China Daily May 23, 2006)