Police condemn violent acts

     Police last night (August 1) found some suspicious persons while handling a burglary case in an industrial building in Au Pui Wan Street, Sha Tin. Upon investigation, Police arrested eight persons, aged between 24 and 31, in the car park and inside a unit of the building for possession of offensive weapon, possession of instrument fit for unlawful purpose, possession of explosives without a licence, and breaching the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance.

     A large amount of offensive weapons was seized, including some baseball batons, iron marbles, hiking poles, bows and arrows, petrol bombs and a rattan cane. Police also seized a lot of protective gear including helmets, gas masks, masks, knee pads, arm braces, some essential oil with suspected cannabidiol, some black T-shirts and over 50 white T-shirts.

     After that a group of protestors gathered and besieged Sha Tin Police Station and Ma On Shan Police Station successively, requesting to release the arrested persons.

     At around 10pm, a group of protestors besieged Sha Tin Police Station and used mills barriers, water barriers and miscellaneous objects to block the gate. Some protestors damaged the closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and walkie-talkies of the police station, threw eggs at the station and drew graffiti with content of insulting Police officers on the outer walls.

     Later at around 1.30am today (August 2), the group of protestors turned up to besiege Ma On Shan Police Station and used mills barriers as well as miscellaneous objects to block the entrance of report room. Some protestors pried open the roller shutter of the report room and charged the glass doors. Some protestors also vandalised the CCTV cameras and outer walls, and hurled stones at the Police station. Some drew graffiti on the glass doors of the report room with content of insulting Police officers and threatening their safety.

     The two cases of besieging Police stations are classified as criminal damage. Those protestors participated were also involved in illegal assembly. Active investigation by the District Crime Squad of Sha Tin is underway.

     Furthermore, officers of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau yesterday arrested one man and two women for possession of explosives without a licence in Tin Shui Estate, Tin Shui Wai. Some 30 pieces of smoke grenades, some partially-completed smoke grenades, some raw materials and about half a million cash were seized.

     Police notice that there are some discussions advocating escalating violence on the internet, in which some promote the use of violent and lethal ways to assault Police officers. Police reiterate that there is zero tolerance to anyone who resorts to violence for any purposes.

     Police condemn these violent acts and will spare no effort in investigation in order to bring offenders to justice. Police are capable and determined to maintain law and order and will not tolerate any violence.