Forty civic-minded citizens were commended at the Good Citizen Award (GCA) Presentation ceremony on September 22 for assisting the Force in fighting crime.

Officiating at the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Wong Chi-hung stated that the overall crime figures in the first half of 2016 dropped to a record-low level since 1979. He stressed that the Force's effective enforcement of the law, an increase in anti-crime awareness and the promotion of a close partnership between the Force and the community are the most effective measures to reduce crime.

While applauding the GCA awardees for their exemplary courage, alertness, judgement and righteousness, he urged members of the public to continue joining hands with the Force in combating crime.

With the assistance of the awardees, more than 30 persons were arrested for theft, robbery, wounding, burglary, indecent assault and possession of a dangerous drug.

Two of the awardees, Mr Tsoi Tsz-wa and Mr Kwok Chun-hung, witnessed a wounding case in which a man assaulted a victim with a chopper at a car park. They immediately stopped and subdued the man. Subsequently, the man was convicted of wounding with intent and sentenced to three years' imprisonment.

The eldest awardee, Mr Cheng Chun-chun, assisted the Force in arresting a man who attacked passers-by with a sharp object. Mr Cheng followed the man and provided detailed information to the Force. Eventually, the man was sentenced to Hospital Order.

Presented twice a year, the Award is organised by the Police Public Relations Branch and sponsored by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. Each awardee received a certificate and a cheque of $3,000 this year.