Winners of fight crime competition to visit Australia (with photo)

ifteen young fight crime ambassadors who were winners of the "Hang Seng Bank - Help the Police Fight Youth Crime Competition 2006" will visit Australia next month (August).

Together with five other winners, they received their awards and scholarships at a prize presentation ceremony today (July 29) at the Police Headquarters.

The competition, featuring web games, essay writing, tests in leadership skills and interviews, was aimed at raising young people's awareness of juvenile crimes and encouraging them to help Police fight crime. It was organised by the Police and sponsored by Hang Seng Bank and Qantas Airways Limited. A record number of 125 000 entries were received, the highest for the past 30 years.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lee Ming-kwai, praised the winners for their outstanding performance and hoped that they would set a good example to other young people, promote positive values among their friends and help Police fight crime.

"I wish you a rewarding trip to Australia next month, where you will be able to share your views on juvenile crimes with the Australian youngsters," Mr Lee said.

"Hang Seng Bank is pleased to have sponsored this important competition for the seventh consecutive time," Mr Joseph Poon, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank said.

"It is encouraging to see the number of entries increase as this suggests that the fight crime message is reaching more young people. Together with the top quality service of the Police, the promotion of a positive and healthy lifestyle among our young people will help keep Hong Kong one of the safest cities in the world," he added.

The 15 ambassadors outshone some 50 000 participants in the secondary and post-secondary categories of the competition. During their eight-day trip to Australia from August 21 to 28, they will visit police departments, schools and youth organisations in Melbourne and Sydney.

Before the trip, they will visit various Police formations with the five winners in the primary category.

Also officiating at the ceremony was Marketing Manager (Greater China) of Qantas Airways Limited, Ms Evelyn Lee.


Police Report No. 7

Issued by PPRB

Ends/Saturday, July 29, 2006