Suspected theft case involving personal data held by FEHD
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (January 2) that the department attaches utmost importance on a suspected theft case of document files and has reported the incident to the Police for follow-up. Since the files contain personal data, the department has immediately contacted all the data subjects affected to offer its apologies and appeal for their heightened vigilance.
The incident involves two internal document files stored at the Kowloon City District Environmental Hygiene Office. These files contained records of public complaints against environmental nuisances in the district, including the names and contact information (telephone numbers or email addresses) of approximately 100 complainants.
The spokesman said, "The office area concerned is access-controlled by a digital lock and also has an independent door lock. As the incident may involve criminal act of theft, the FEHD has reported the case to the Police for follow-up and will fully co-operate with the investigation. The FEHD has also notified the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, and notified the data subjects affected by the incident."
The spokesman for the FEHD stressed, "The department offered its apologies to those affected. The FEHD attaches great importance to the security of personal data, and has laid down clear internal guidelines and control mechanism to ensure compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance and other relevant laws and ordinances. Staff members are also regularly reminded to adhere to these guidelines and provisions. While the case is believed to be an isolated incident, the department will take stringent action should the investigation reveal any negligence or mishandling by any officer. The FEHD will also review the current personal data security measures to ensure effective protection of the personal data it collects."
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention
The Hong Kong Police Force held the “Good Citizen Award (GCA) Presentation Ceremony 2025” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (March 14) to commend 80 members of the public for their assistance in combating crime and saving lives, and to present the “Good Organisation Award” to six organisations in recognition of their active support for the Police in promoting anti-deception initiatives, fighting crime, safeguarding national security and fostering youth development.
Addressing the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, highlighted that the GCA Scheme, launched in 1973, has honoured nearly 4 800 good citizens to date, fully demonstrating Hong Kong citizens’ spirit of mutual help and courage in doing what is right. He expressed appreciation for the awardees for offering assistance and making the right choice at critical moments, which echoed this year’s theme, “Good Citizen–A Flash Moment–Be United”. He added that calm judgment in a flash moment helps members of the public avoid scammers’ traps. He urged the public to make good use of “Scameter+”, a mobile app launched by the Police, to identify suspicious calls and websites, and to think twice before disclosing personal or account data, or engaging in money transactions.
He added that this year’s six “Good Organisation Award” recipients have actively fulfilled their corporate social responsibilities by bringing anti-scam and anti-drug messages into the community, thereby supporting police efforts. He said that the Police would continue working hand in hand with the public, organisations and stakeholders from all sectors of the community to transform every “flash moment” of kindness into a strong, lasting force safeguarding our home.
Another officiating guest, the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC), Hong Kong, Dr Jonathan Choi, noted that the recipients of the GCA came from different sectors and backgrounds, yet they all shared the same willingness to act as “guardians” by assisting the Police in preventing crime. He said that the CGCC would continue to encourage the business community to promote the good citizen spirit, so as to make Hong Kong a better place to live and work. Fight Crime Committee member, Ms Cecilia Ho, said that by asking just one more question and taking one more step at critical moments, these individual efforts by members of the public can unite to become the Police’s strongest support in combating crime and saving lives.
In 2025, a total of 80 GCA awardees were commended for assisting the Police in preventing and detecting crime, arresting offenders and saving lives. The “Good Citizen of the Year Award” (GCYA) was presented to Mr Leung Ho-yin, who bravely rescued three people from drowning after they fell into the sea during Super Typhoon Ragasa in Hong Kong last year.
The GCA Scheme is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Fight Crime Committee, with support from the CGCC since 2025. Each awardee receives a cash prize of $4,000, and the GCYA recipient receives $6,000, in recognition of their courage in upholding what is right.
A brand new promotional video series, “A Flash Moment of Good Citizens”, premiered at the ceremony. Adapted from four award-winning cases of 2025, it features the award winners themselves starring in and portraying their pivotal “flash moment” good citizen stories. The videos will be uploaded to the Police Force’s Facebook and YouTube channel.
Source: AI-found images
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
