Forty good citizens commended for fighting crime (with photo)
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Forty people who helped the Police fight crime were commended at a Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony today (November 27).

One of them received the Good Citizen of the Year Award, while the others, 31 men and eight women, received the Good Citizen Award (GCA). With their help, more than 40 suspects were arrested for a variety of offences including murder, assault, robbery, indecent assault, theft, burglary and deception.

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).

Ms Cheng Ting, the winner of the Good Citizen of the Year Award, helped Police arrest two men who were being sought in connection with a series of deception cases targeting visitors to Hong Kong.

On March 12, 2008, Ms Cheng, a hotel receptionist, received a call from a man who asked to be put through to a specific room which was not occupied. Acting on suspicion, Ms Cheng spoke to the man while pretending to be the occupant. During the conversation, the man stated that he was Ms Cheng's uncle and asked her to meet him the following day. Ms Cheng then made a report to the Police and with a disguised officer met the man at the hotel.

Police subsequently arrested the man and an accomplice. Further investigations revealed that the two had adopted similar modus operandi in eight other cases to deceive visitors. The duo were charged with obtaining property by deception and sentenced to 34 months' and 21 months' imprisonment respectively.

Ms Cheng 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.

Another awardee, Mr To Pak-kwan, assisted Police in the arrest of five persons involved in a theft case.

On May 25, 2008, Mr To, a monastery caretaker, found several persons acting suspiciously at the donation box area. They left at once when they saw Mr To approaching. Mr To checked the donation boxes and found that they had been intruded. Mr To then made a report to the Police who subsequently arrested seven two-way permit holders and seized the instruments used for inserting the donation boxes. They were charged with theft. Five of them were convicted and each was sentenced to four months' imprisonment.

Police Director of Management Services, Mr Michael Brian Dowie, said this year was the 35th anniversary of GCA and thousands of good citizens who received the award in these years had displayed courage and sacrifice to assist Police in bringing criminals to justice. The GCA showed the importance of Police-community partnership in combating crime.

Other officiating guests included Vice-chairperson of Manpower Committee of the HKGCC, Ms Teresa Yang, and member of the Fight Crime Committee, Mr Li Kwok-ying.

Ms Yang said that the Chamber had sponsored this award scheme since 1973. Eighty or more brave and righteous citizens were commended each year for their contribution to the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

Police Report No. 1
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Thursday, November 27, 2008
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