Batons Seen In Sheung Shui Attack Not Ours: Police

Police said on Thursday that extendable batons used by a group of people who were caught on video attacking a man dressed in black, were a different type from what police officers are issued with.

The footage of a mob of baton-wielding people in Sheung Shui had led to some internet users alleging that the attackers were undercover police officers. From last month, the department had allowed officers who were not on duty to carry extendable batons and pepper spray home with them for protection.

The video of Thursday's Sheung Shui incident circulated on social media showed some of the attackers using extendable batons. Police said they received a report of the incident at 11.51am.

But senior superintendent Kong Wing-cheung from the police public relations branch said they weren't plainclothes officers, and the weapons they had were not the same model as the ones that police use.

He also blamed a group of people wearing black for hampering the police investigation into the incident.

Officials also said their investigation found no suspicious circumstances regarding the death of a man who was found in a pool of blood at a warehouse site in Tsuen Wan.

The black-clad man was taken to Yan Chai Hospital after being found on the floor near Kerry Warehouse in Shing Yiu Street at around 10.30pm on Wednesday night.

Police said the security footage from the warehouse showed he wandering alone in the building shortly before. The officers said the man had some bone fractures, but they did not find any kind of suspicious injuries.

The police have also dismissed concerns that their tear gas can cause skin problems, after a Stand News reporter said he was suffering from Chloracne.

Senior superintendent Wong Wai-shun said it's extremely rare that the lawful use of tear gas would cause permanent after-effects.

There are also concerns about the ammunition issued by officers after a volunteer first aider suffered serious burns to his back when he was apparently hit by a tear gas canister.

But senior superintendent Wong said the high temperature from the canisters is normal.