Hong Kong to step up enforcement against unlicensed street vendors in Sham Shui Po over Lunar New Year
Hong Kong Free Press
Authorities will step up enforcement actions against unauthorised street hawkers in Sham Shui Po over the Lunar New Year holiday, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has told a District Council meeting.
In a document submitted to the Sham Shui Po District Council on Friday, the department said it would implement patrols and clearance operations on main roads and at hawker blackspots, with increased deployments and extended duty hours, InMedia reported.
The Lunar New Year holiday will run from February 10 to 14.
The department made 25 unauthorised hawking prosecutions between December 1 and January 15, according to the document.
The FEHD listed blackspots on Kweilin Street, Ki Lung Street, Pei Ho Street, Tai Nan Street, Cheung Sha Wan Road, Apliu Street, Nam Cheong Street, Yen Chow Street, Yu Chau Street, Lai Chi Kok Road, Hai Tan Street, Fuk Wah Street, Fuk Wing Street and Berwick Street, InMedia reported.
The department said officers would adopt specific, more relaxed enforcement strategies for elderly or disabled hawkers, employing a “warning first, then enforcement” mechanism, whereby prosecution would be carried out if verbal warnings were ineffective.
FEHD officers’ confiscation of a licensed 90-year-old street hawker last March drew criticism after videos of the incident circulated widely online. It was reported that she had left her cart with a relative while using the bathroom.
The FEHD would also conduct publicity and education campaigns at different locations to advise and warn shops and vendors not to place goods on sidewalks or sell them without a licence, it said in its submission.
The department said that it would hang banners and distribute leaflets in different languages at hawker black spots, as it did last year, to advise the public against unlicensed hawking and purchasing goods from unlicensed hawkers.
Sham Shui Po District Councillor Nicole Lau said this Lunar New Year would be the first since the city’s return to “normalcy,” and that she supported the enhanced hawker patrols.
She added that Lunar New Year festivities would come amid a citywide “vibes” campaign featuring lights displays and night markets.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
Original reporting on HKFP is backed by our monthly contributors.
Almost 1,000 HKFP Patrons made this article possible. Each contributes an average of HK$200/month to support our award-winning original reporting, keeping the city’s only independent English-language outlet free-to-access for all. Three reasons to join us:
- 🔎 Transparent & efficient: As a non-profit, we are externally audited each year, publishing our income/outgoings annually, as the city’s most transparent news outlet.
- 🔒 Accurate & accountable: Our reporting is governed by a strict Ethics Code. We are 100% independent, and not answerable to any tycoon, mainland owners or shareholders. Check out our latest Annual Report, and help support press freedom.
- 💰 It’s fast, secure & easy: We accept most payment methods – cancel anytime, and receive a free tote bag and pen if you contribute HK$150/month or more.
HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.