Campuses Have Become Most Dangerous Places: Police

The police say universities have become the most dangerous places in Hong Kong as "rioters" have taken over the campuses and are stockpiling weapons there.

Students have been camping out at the Chinese, Baptist and Polytechnic universities for days. Police said they are not intervening yet to avoid clashes, as the situation remains tense.

Students and staff have been leaving the campus of Chinese University after the institution’s President, Rocky Tuan, on Friday, said the CUHK has been taken over by ‘outsiders’ who have been stealing chemicals and manufacturing petrol bombs.

Chief Superintendent John Tse university campuses have been transformed into a

lawless land, which protesters are using as a base to block roads and conduct other illegal activities, he said.

At a press briefing, police also rejected allegations that the police use of tear gas is to blame for a reporter’s skin condition, which is linked to exposure to the chemical dioxin.

Senior superintendent Wong Wai-shun from the operations branch said there are multiple sources of dioxin in the environment, from vehicle pollutants to burning plastics.

He said in the past few months, "rioters" frequently burnt plastics and other materials, and therefore the police have to fire tear gas to stop them to protect others from the harmful substance.

The officers also rejected allegations that an officer had used unreasonable force in an incident in which a man was detained violently in Central. Footage circulating on social media seemed to show the officer running in from behind and jumping on to the man who was walking unaware of the officer's approach.

Senior superintendent Kong Wing-cheung said it was a legitimate tactic and the detained man was suspected of committing a violent act and had to be subdued.

Police also said Thursday saw 58 people arrested for various offences, with the youngest of them 12 and the oldest 62.