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Forty-two citizens who helped the Police fight crime were commended at the Good Citizen Award (GCA) Presentation Ceremony today (February 10).
Among them, 40 citizens received Good Citizen Award, while another two received the Good Citizen of the Year Award (GCYA). With their help, some 40 persons were arrested for a variety of offences including telephone deception, theft, burglary, robbery, wounding and indecent assault.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Police Director of Management Services, Ms Chiu Wai-yin, said that there have been more than 3 900 GCA recipients over the years since inception of the Award in 1973. She further commended them for their contribution to the community.
Ms Chiu pointed out that partnership with the community played an important role in maintaining Hong Kong as a stable society. She urged members of the public to continue joining hands with the Police to fight crime and to maintain Hong Kong as one of the safest and most stable cities in the world.
The Chairman of Women Executives Club, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC), Mrs Margaret Leung, said that HKGCC has been sponsoring GCA to commend the citizens who come forward to help fight against crimes. Aiming to promote the spirit of courage, HKGCC would continue to support the scheme.
Fight Crime Committee member, Mr Ng Sau-kei, noted that the crime figures in the past few years had been decreasing. Together with the outstanding work of the Police Force, it is also essential to have an establishment of trust and partnership among the citizens and the Police. He looked forward to the continuous support of the public to fight crime and help maintain law and order.
Mr Cheung Lap-yee and Mr Koon Sze-keung, winners of this yearˇ¦s GCYA, were security guards of an estate. They witnessed a colleague, who was also a security guard, holding a chopper chasing after another colleague. They immediately stepped forward and subdued the man. The man was convicted of attempted murder and wounding with intent and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Another three GCA recipients, Mr Ng Wai-leung, Mr Lam Tak-sang and Mr Seeto Wing successfully helped foil telephone scams. They all received calls from swindlers respectively who claimed that their son was being detained and demanded for a ransom. Feeling suspicious, they reported the case to the Police and helped the Police arrest the swindlers.
In addition, three GCA recipients together helped the Police arrest thieves who were involved in illegal tree cutting of Aquilaria sinensis. Villagers Mr Yiu Kam-wah and Mr Yiu Man-fai alerted other villagers that there might be illegal tree cutting activities taking place, while villager Mr Wong Ming-tat spotted the suspects and followed them while reporting to the Police. Three thieves were arrested.
Presented twice a year, the GCA is organised by the Police Public Relations Branch and sponsored by the HKGCC. All GCA winners each received a certificate and a cheque of $3,000. The GCYA winner was presented with a plaque and a cash award of $4,000.
Ends/Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:23
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