The 'angels'- two inspectorate-grade officers and 14 junior police officers - joined a one-year volunteer programme entitled 'Youth Community Services Team' to help youths at risk. The programme, held in conjunction with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals' Lei Tung Integrated Service for Young People (Lei Tung), runs from October this year to June next year.

After undergoing a training course, the volunteers visited a primary school and talked with some students there. One of them, Senior Inspector Mr Leung Wai-chung, told OffBeat: "We organised firing exercises with toy pistols for the students and they responded positively to the challenge.

"It is far easier to establish a close relationship with youngsters in that kind of relaxed and casual environment," Mr Leung said.

The volunteers act as role models and mentors for youngsters in need of help and guidance. They plan to meet on a regular basis with more young people identified by the Lei Tung as having been 'marginalised' and in need of help to put and keep them on the right tracks.

Wards of Western District's 'guardian angels' at target practice