Police are aware that the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has formed a working group, enlisting teaching staff, professional counsellors, medics, social workers and security personnel, etc. The working group has entered the PolyU at around 9.30 am today (November 26) to persuade the remaining people to leave the campus as soon as possible. 
      
     Police have formed a Safety Team with other Government departments and independent mediators including secondary school principals, social workers, clinical psychologists, ambulance officers, fire officers, Police Negotiation Cadre members, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau officers and Force Media Liaison Cadre officers. The team is on standby in the vicinity of PolyU and will provide assistance if necessary.
      
     Police maintain close communication with the school and re-emphasise the two major principles of “peaceful method” and “flexible approach” to solve the situation. For those with medical needs, Police will prioritise their medical needs and will not arrest them on the spot. Police officers will record their personal data, photograph them and follow up later.
      
     For those who leave the campus and do not have medical needs, Police will enforce the law following existing mechanism and re-emphasise that they are guaranteed fair treatment.
 

Ends/Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Issued at HKT 12:39

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