Eight Hong Kong residents jailed in Shenzhen for illegally crossing the border were released by Shenzhen police on Monday and handed over to Hong Kong authorities after having completed their jail time.

The eight were sentenced to seven months in prison following a trial in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, in December.

They were among 12 Hong Kong residents who were put under criminal detention by Shenzhen police for illegally crossing the border into waters under the mainland's jurisdiction on August 23.

Two people remain in jail serving a two- and three-year terms respectively, while the other two persons were under 18 years old when arrested and were not put on trial. They were sent back to Hong Kong in December.