Each of them was presented with a certificate and a $2,000 cheque in recognition of their contributions to the fight against crime.

One of the award recipients is a taxi driver, Mr Chan Ping-kau, who helped police arrest three culprits who assaulted a woman and snatched her handbag on February 15.

Driving his taxi, Mr Chan saw the victim chasing the man but being pushed against a metal roller shutter by another man. The duo then got into a taxi together with a third man. At this juncture, Mr Chan followed the culprits' taxi and later saw the three men boarding another taxi, heading for Yau Ma Tei.

On the way, Mr Chan alerted three patrolling officers, who immediately got into Mr Chan's taxi to give chase and subsequently arrested the three culprits in Yau Ma Tei and recovered the victim's handbag. The trio were later charged with conspiracy to steal.

Another recipient, Ms Kok Tse-ying, who is a hair salon owner, assisted police in nabbing four triads who tried to extort protection money from her salon last year. The culprits were subsequently sentenced to 27 months' imprisonment upon conviction of blackmail.

Officiating at the presentation ceremony were Director of Personnel and Training, Mr Tsang Wai-hung; member of the Fight Crime Committee, Dr Philemon Choi Yuen-wan, and Chairman of Industry and Technology Committee of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (HKGCC), Mr Oscar Chow.

Mr Tsang commended the recipients for setting good examples for other citizens with their initiatives and courage, as well as their contributions to public order.

"I wish to take this opportunity to thank the HKGCC for sponsoring the awards as an incentive for the good citizens over the years, so that this very meaningful scheme would continue making contributions to fighting crimes by promoting co-operation between the public and police," he noted.

Mr Tsang also thanked the Fight Crime Committee and its 18 District Fight Crime Committees for assisting the police over the years in improving law and order in the territory.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chow pointed out that the joint efforts of the public and police in the fight against crime had turned Hong Kong into a prosperous, stable and harmonious society.

Prior to the presentation ceremony, a new television Announcement in the Public Interest (API) was premiered to kick off Phase I of the Fight Crime Publicity Campaign 2005/06, the theme of which is "Take good care of your own belongings".

The API, with both Cantonese and English versions, urges the public to stay alert at all times and use their "strong weapons of eyes, ears, mouth and hands" to protect their own belongings.

The TV API and a radio API in Cantonese, Putonghua and English are being broadcast on local TV and radio stations.

The Fight Crime Publicity Campaign also drives fight crime messages home with posters, Octopus Card holders and outdoor advertising.

The campaign is planned and implemented by the Fight Crime Committee Publicity Sub-Committee, which comprises representatives from the Security Bureau, Education and Manpower Bureau, Police, Information Services Department, Social Welfare Department, Home Affairs Department and District Fight Crime Committees.

Launched in 1973, the Good Citizen Award Scheme is held twice a year by Police Public Relations Branch with sponsorship by the HKGCC.

A new television API is premiered at the Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony to kick off Phase I of the Fight Crime Publicity Campaign 2005