The award recipients, comprising 35 men and five women, have altogether helped arrest 40 culprits for a variety of offences, including arson, wounding, robbery, burglary, theft and indecent assault.

Four recipients, Mr Kwai Sze-kit, Mr Fung Kwong-chung, Mr Chan Man-cheong and Mr Leung Lun-chiu, helped arrest an arsonist who set fire to a bottle of thinner inside a compartment of an MTR train travelling from Tsim Sha Tsui to Admiralty Station on January 5.

Witnessing the incident, Mr Kwai immediately stopped the man and tried to put out the fire. His vigilance alerted Mr Fung, Mr Chan and Mr Leung, who immediately rendered assistance.

Later the four passengers provided detailed and valuable information to the Force, leading to the arrest of the culprit who was subsequently charged with arson.

Another recipient, Mr Wong Yue-pok, helped arrest a child abductor. In this case, a man lured a seven-year-old girl out of a barbershop in Wong Tai Sin on February 6. An identity kit of the suspect was later circulated to shops in the district.

Spotting a man with features similar to those of the suspect on February 13, Mr Wong, a fish stall owner, followed the man and reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the man who was later charged with common assault and abduction.

During the award presentation ceremony, the recipients were each presented with a certificate and a cheque for $2,000 for their initiatives in fighting crime.

Officiating at the ceremony, Acting Commissioner Fung Siu-yuen commended the award recipients for their courage, alertness and initiatives in helping the fight against crime, adding that they had set a good example for fellow citizens.

Another officiating guest, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Senior Director (Operations), Dr Y S Cheung, said the joint efforts of the public and the Force in fighting crime helped make Hong Kong a prosperous and stable society.

Prior to the presentation ceremony, a new Television Announcement in the Public Interest (API) was premiered to kick off the Fight Crime Publicity Campaign 2004-05, the theme of which is "Helping Police Fight Crime".

The TV API, with both Cantonese and English versions, calls on members of the public to make use of their "powerful weapons of eyes, ears, mouths and hands" to watch out for crime and stay alert and report crime to the police. The API, as well as a radio API with Cantonese, Putonghua and English versions, are being broadcast on local TV and radio stations.

In addition, posters, stickers and bus advertisement will be used to hammer home the campaign message: "Keep Hong Kong save. We all have a part to play".

The Good Citizen Award Scheme, held twice a year, is organised by the Police Public Relations Branch with sponsorship by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. The scheme has honoured 3,145 citizens since it was launched in 1973.

Meanwhile, the Fight Crime Publicity Campaign is being implemented by the Fight Crime Committee Publicity Sub-committee, which comprises representatives from Security Bureau, the Force, Education and Manpower Bureau, Information Services Department, Home Affairs Department, Social Welfare Department and district fight crime committees.

Acting CP Fung Siu-yuen with the Good Citizen Award recipients

Four good citizens have been commended for helping arrest an arsonist