The Fire Services Department (FSD) is considering offering incentives to citizens who report illegal fueling activities, following the launch of its new hotline and online complaint portal in September.
Speaking on a radio program on Wednesday, Ngai Chor-fung, Acting Assistant Director (Licensing and Certification) of the FSD, said many concerned residents have submitted dashcam footage showing suspected illicit fueling, providing valuable leads for investigation.
Ngai said the department is exploring an incentive scheme to reward those who provide useful evidence, encouraging members of the public to upload photos or videos via the online reporting platform.
Since last month, the FSD has intercepted 220,000 litres of illicit diesel and dismantled 23 illegal refuelling sites.
He noted that operators have increasingly moved their activities to remote areas, such as rural villages and warehouses, in an effort to evade detection. Some have turned to more mobile operations, using fuel trucks for roadside refuelling or converting ordinary vehicles into makeshift tankers to transfer fuel quickly.
Ngai added that the department has begun deploying drones to strengthen surveillance and enforcement against illegal refuelling stations.
He also warned that some criminals are promoting these activities online using coded or euphemistic language, and said the FSD will request social media platforms to remove such posts.
Meanwhile, Kwun Tong district councillor Wilson Or Chong-shing urged authorities to leverage information technology for enhanced inspections and enforcement, stressing the need for stronger interdepartmental collaboration to curb illegal fueling operations.
