Forty-one Hong Kong citizens were commended at the Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony Thursday for their bravery in helping the police fight crime.

The recipients comprised 38 men and three women. With their help, about 40 culprits were arrested for a variety of offences including wounding, robbery, indecent assault and blackmail.

One of the recipients, 20 year-old high school student Tse Kin-fai, won the top honor of the year -- Good Citizen Year Award.

Tse helped subdue a man who snatched a mobile phone from a woman and hurt her with a cutter near Mass Transit Railway Shau Kei Wan Station on Nov. 28, 2004. He was injured in the hand and neck in the pursuit of the suspect who was arrested and later sentenced to a 4-year-and-4-month imprisonment.

"I didn't think much at that time and just knew that I should go and pursuit the suspect," he said, "but it's really scary I when think back."

Tse said he was happy to receive the prize and that his parents and friends showed support to his braveness in fighting crime.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner of Hong Kong Police Lee Ming-kwai commended the recipients for their courage and commitment to the society.

Tse was presented with a plaque and a cash award of 3,000 HK dollars (about US$380). Each of the Good Citizen Award winners was presented with a certificate and a check of 2,000 HK dollars.

The Good Citizen Award Scheme, first launched in 1973 and is held twice a year, is organized by the Police Public Relations Branch.

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2006)