Forty citizens who helped the Force fight crime were commended at the Good Citizen Award (GCA) Presentation Ceremony on September 20.

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of Personnel and Training Li Kin-fai pointed out that the law and order situation in Hong Kong remained stable in the first half of 2017. A total of 28 309 cases of crime were recorded, representing a decrease of 1 233 cases over the same period last year. He said that the overall crime figures in the first six months of the year dropped to a record low since 1979 because of the concerted efforts of the Force and the community.

Mr Li believed that the willingness of the public to work with the Force in the fight against crime and to uphold the rule of law makes Hong Kong one of the safest and most stable societies in the world. He applauded the GCA awardees for their courage in helping to fight crime.

Meanwhile, Mr Li was grateful to the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC) for sponsoring this meaningful award programme, which encourages citizens to report crime and to testify so as to bring offenders to justice. He also thanked members of the Fight Crime Committee and 18 District Fight Crime Committees for their contribution in maintaining law and order.

With the help of the awardees, the Force arrested more than 30 persons for a variety of offences, including robbery, theft, wounding, outraging public decency and criminal damage.

The youngest awardee was Mr Lee Chu-fung, aged 14. He witnessed a man stealing a woman’s wallet in a street in July this year. After alerting the woman, he made a report to the Force and kept an eye on the man until officers arrived at the scene. The man was later convicted of theft and sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment.

The GCA, established by the Police Public Relations Branch, is presented twice a year. Each of the awardees would receive a certificate of merit and a cheque of $3,000. More than 4 000 people have been commended with the award over the years.