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About 600 primary and secondary students have put their creative and artistic talents to work on film to promote anti-cyber crime messages.
The "Protect Yourself from Crime and Predators Online" video competition attracted more than 100 entries, with students striving to help combat cyber crime while competing for top honours in the competition. The prize presentation ceremony was held today (December 19) at Police Headquarters.
The competition was organised by the Publicity Subcommittee of the Fight Crime Committee (FCC) and the Police Public Relations Branch, sponsored by Hang Seng Bank, and supported by the Education Bureau, the Information Services Department, RTHK and Sing Tao Daily. The competition was one of the initiatives under this year's Fight Crime Publicity Campaign to raise public awareness, particularly among young people, about the potential risks and possible crimes arising from online activities and contacts.
The Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose Lee; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tang King-shing; Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, Mrs Margaret Leung; and FCC member, Ms Sylvia Yau, officiated at the ceremony.
Mr Lee noted the growing trend in online crime, with the number of sexual offences involving Internet contacts also on the rise. Mr Lee said the police had adopted a multi-pronged approach to combat cyber crime, including stepping up enforcement actions, strengthening investigation and crime prevention, and enhancing cooperation with overseas law enforcement authorities. The strength of the Technology Crime Division of the Crime Commercial Bureau was increased from 45 to 71 in October.
"The cyber world can bring a lot of fun, but is also full of traps. We must always stay vigilant against Internet crime and exercise great care when making friends online," Mr Lee said.
Mrs Leung mentioned that as a good corporate citizen, Hang Seng was pleased to support this meaningful event. She said that the competition would increase awareness of cyber crime among younger generation and she hoped that people would focus on putting the power of the Internet to positive use.
"Hong Kong is an international financial centre and one of the safest cities in the world. This status relies not only on the professionalism of our disciplinary forces, but also depends on how society nurtures young people as regards their responsibilities and values. I hope that our youngsters would play an active role in sustaining Hong Kong's position by helping to stamp out cyber crime," Mrs Leung added.
The champion of the primary school category was Precious Blood Primary School (South Horizons), while the secondary school category was won by Tang King Po School.
The winner and the two runners-up in the secondary school category earned the chance to join a study trip to Guangzhou from December 28-30, during which they will visit Mainland public security authorities and the Guangdong Police College.
A new Announcement in the Public Interest (API), with its production based on the creative idea of Tang King Po School's winning video, was also launched at today's ceremony by the Secretary for Security and the Commissioner of Police.
Broadcasting of the API on local TV and radio stations will begin tonight.
Police Report No. 3
Ends/Saturday, December 19, 2009
Issued at HKT 13:25
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