Commissioner Dick Lee Ming-kwai stated this at a launching ceremony of the "Hang Seng Bank - Help the Police Fight Youth Crime Competition 2004" on March 23.

The biennial event, organised by the Force under the auspices of Hang Seng Bank and Qantas Airways Limited and co-organised by Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), aims at enhancing youngsters' alertness against crimes.

Under the theme of "fighting against youth crime", the competition tests youngsters' capabilities in various aspects through activities ranging from essay writing and fitness to aptitude tests.

The competition, which is open to primary, secondary and tertiary students, will see participants competing for chances to visit Australia as Hong Kong's fight crime ambassadors and sharing their experiences with their overseas counterparts.

Mr Lee said: "Youth problems in Hong Kong often arouse concern in the community. Police will continue to work closely with the Education and Manpower Bureau, the Social Welfare Department, non-governmental bodies and other related organisations with a view to offering guidance and counselling to youngsters to prevent them from going astray."

Also officiating at the ceremony, the Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank, Mr Vincent Cheng, said: "Hang Seng Bank is pleased to sponsor the competition for the sixth consecutive time. By supporting this event, we are encouraging young people to follow a healthy and positive lifestyle and helping them to become responsible and contributory citizens."

Other guests of honour attending the ceremony included Commercial Manager Sales of Qantas Airways Limited, Mr Johnny Choi; Controller, Production Division of TVB, Mr Gilbert Waung, and member of Fight Crime Committee, Mr Clement Tao.

During the event, Mr Lee received a cheque in the amount of $500,000 on behalf of the Force from Mr Cheng. Meanwhile, Mr Choi presented air tickets to Mr Lee to sponsor winners' trips to Australia.

Application forms for the competition are now available from police stations, Junior Police Call clubs, District Offices and Hang Seng Bank branches (excluding those at MTR stations and the Lantau Airport Railway Station). The deadline for applications is April 24.

Police figurine

To promote the "Hang Seng Bank - Help the Police Fight Youth Crime Competition 2004", a Police figurine will be distributed to participants on a first-come-first-served basis. Designed by the Junior Police Call Section of the Police Public Relations Branch, the figurine aims at projecting a young and friendly image of Police officers in a bid to foster better communications between Police and youngsters, and enlist their help in the fight against crime.