One of them also 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, Secretary for Security and Fight Crime Committee member, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, said citizens who took initiatives to help fight crime with a sense of mission were commended under the GCA scheme in the past four decades. The scheme also helped raise public awareness of crime and promote the spirit of mutual help.

 

Mr Lai added that members of the public supported the Police to take professional enforcement actions in a fair, just and impartial manner and joined hands with the Police to maintain law and order. These being excellent examples, he hoped the GCA recipients would continue to spread the spirit of "good citizen" to build up a safer and better Hong Kong.

 

Deputy Commissioner (Management) Ma Wai-luk, also thanked the GCA recipients for their contribution to fighting crime. He pointed out that partnership with the community played an important role in maintaining Hong Kong as a stable society. Through  varions platforms, including Junior Police Call, Senior Police Call, and Working Group on Non-ethnic Chinese, the Force spread fight crime messages as well as encouraged the participation of the community. The Hong Kong Police Mobile Application launched last year and Hong Kong Police YouTube channel launched this year were further steps to strengthen the communication between the public and the Force by means of social media, he added.

 

Mr Ma also thanked the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) for supporting the GCA scheme.

 

The Chairman of the HKGCC, Mr C K Chow, said that as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations, the Chamber decided to present "Heart of Gold Award" to three past winners to stress that there was no age limit to fighting crime. The Chamber has also decided to increase the cash award for the scheme.

 

Mr Chow said, "Saving someone's life or preventing a tragedy is of course priceless. I believe that all awardees acted as they did because they knew it was the right thing to do. They are exemplary citizens, and can very rightly be proud of their courage and achievements."

 

The Chamber would continue to support the meaningful scheme so that the fight crime spirit would live on, he added.

 

 

Mr Leung Ho-yin, winner of this year's GCYA, saw a man being stabbed by a former employee with a knife in Fanling. Mr Leung immediately stepped forward and together with two off-duty Police officers, subdued the man. The man was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to ten-year imprisonment.

 

This year's youngest recipient, Cheung Tsz-kwun, saw a man steal a packet of ice-cream from a convenience store. He alerted the staff of the store who intercepted the thief and reported to the Police. The thief was convicted of theft and sentenced to two-week imprisonment.

 

The oldest recipient, Ms Chiu Shui-sheung, helped foil a telephone scam. Ms Chiu received a call from a swindler who claimed to be her grandson and said he was being detained for a ransom of $50,000. After Ms Chiu confirmed that her grandson was safe and sound she reported the case to the Police and helped the Police arrest the swindler.

 

All GCA winners each received a certificate and a cheque for $3,000. The GCYA winner, in addition, was presented with a plaque and a cash award of $4,000.

 

Presented twice a year, the GCA is organised by the Police Public Relations Branch and sponsored by the HKGCC. More than 3,900 persons have been commended over the years.