Forty good citizens commended for fighting crime (with photo)

Forty citizens who had helped the Police fight crime were commended at the Good Citizen Award (GCA) Presentation Ceremony today (December 7).

One of them won the top honour of the year - Good Citizen Year Award, while the rest, comprising 35 men and four women, received the GCA.

The presentation ceremony, held twice a year, was organised by the Police Public Relations Branch with full sponsorship from the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC).

Mr Wong Chi-pang, winner of the Good Citizen Year Award, together with two GCA winners Mr Hui Ying-nam and Mr Wan Kwok-wai, helped Police arrest a man who attacked a Korean woman with an axe and tried to snatch her handbag containing $12,000 in cash on Morrison Street, Sheung Wan on June 6.

Alerted by the victim's cry for help, the three good citizens, who were passers-by, tried to subdue the man. The man put up a fierce struggle and pointed a gun at them. Mr Wong immediately blocked the trigger with his finger to prevent the man from firing the gun. The trio subsequently subdued the culprit, seized the gun and handed him over to the Police.

The man was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment upon conviction of robbery, possession of arms and ammunition at the time of committing a robbery and possession of arms and ammunition without a licence.

Mr Wong was presented with a plaque and a cash award of $3,000. All other GCA winners each received a certificate and a cheque of $2,000.

Commending the recipients for their courage and bravery, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lee Ming-kwai, said that they had set good examples for other citizens of Hong Kong.

"I hope, through meaningful events like the GCA presentation, more citizens will come forward to help Police fight crime and bring the criminals to justice, just like what the GCA recipients have done," he added.

Other officiating guests included the Senior Director, Certification, HKGCC, Dr Cheung Yiu-sing; and member of the Fight Crime Committee, Dr Tse Wing-ling.

Dr Cheung said: "We have sponsored this award scheme since 1973 and commended more than 3,000 citizens. We surely will continue our support for this meaningful activity."

The youngest GCA recipient of the year, 11-year-old Cheung Sek-wang, assisted Police in netting two men who made off with a waist bag at a playground on Forbes Street, Western on July 24.

Witnessing the incident, he made a report to the Police and gave clear descriptions of the two men. He also joined in the search of them. With his help, Police officers finally intercepted the duo outside the Sands Street Market with the stolen waist bag and some other properties recovered. The two men were arrested for theft.

With the help of these citizens, about 40 culprits were arrested for a variety of offences including wounding, robbery, indecent assault, theft and burglary.


Police Report No. 10

Ends/Thursday, December 7, 2006