Police strongly condemn organised violent and vandalistic acts by masked rioters
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     A large number of masked rioters committed organised destructive acts, blocked traffic and assaulted Police officers in various districts of Hong Kong yesterday (November 3). Police express severe condemnation against rioters.
      
     Since 1pm yesterday, various groups of protestors gathered at malls in different districts including Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, Tai Po and Taikoo. The situation was generally peaceful initially. Some masked rioters later vandalised MTR facilities and shops in the malls extensively in an organised manner, and blocked exits of the shopping malls. Masked rioters popped up in various shopping malls to escape from Police. In response to the crimes, Police officers entered the malls, including New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, Trend Plaza in Tuen Mun, Tai Po Mega Mall and Cityplaza in Taikoo to embark on the arrest operations.
      
     When Police were handling the cases in the malls, some rioters threw miscellaneous objects from height at Police officers. Some rioters surrounded, scolded and assaulted people with different political views. Masked rioters’ blatant defiance of the law cannot be condoned. Police strongly condemn these acts.
      
     At around 7.30pm, a wounding case happened in Taikoo Shing, in which five people were sent to hospital and two of them are in critical condition. Police strongly condemn violent acts and will conduct active and thorough investigation with a view to bringing offenders to justice, regardless of their motive and background.
      
     At night, some masked protestors flash mobbed Tai Po Tai Wo Road. They built barricades with miscellaneous objects including public light bus stands, rubbish bins and railings, blocking the carriageways. Some protestors in Yuen Long damaged traffic lights and built barricades with miscellaneous objects to block Castle Peak Road - Yuen Long.
      
     Police strongly condemn rioters' violent and vandalistic acts. Police reiterate that no violent behaviour will be tolerated. Police will continue to take resolute enforcement action so as to safeguard the city’s public safety and bring all lawbreakers to justice.

Ends/Monday, November 4, 2019
Issued at HKT 1:35

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