Hong Kong protests: police watchdog reviews six days that changed the course of the unrest

The police watchdog’s review of the attack at Yuen Long railway station and five other key dates from the anti-government protests in Hong Kong last year has urged the force to build trust and improve communication with the public. The Independent Police Complaints Council report sets out in detail the unfolding of some of the most controversial episodes during the unrest, including the storming of the legislature and a clearance operation at Prince Edward railway station, among other incidents that brought the international spotlight on the city last summer. “These six incident days were chosen because of complaints clustering around them and because of the public concern expressed,” the IPCC said in its 999-page study published on Friday. “They also evidenced the change of protest action and tactics, followed by some revision of police strategy.” Attack by white-clad mob in Yuen Long station, July 21 What happened About 70 people dressed in white and armed with sticks and rods entered Yuen Long MTR at 10.48pm, targeting black-clad protesters returning from a demonstration on Hong Kong Island. Passengers and passers-by were also injured in their violent rampage, which left 47 in hospital. By the time police arrived at the station 40 minutes later, after receiving emergency calls, most of the attackers had already left. The slow response drew allegations that police had colluded with the assailants, which were fuelled by news footage of an officer “patting” the shoulders of white-clad men after the attack. Findings The council stressed it did not have the statutory powers to probe those allegations, but said there was “no collusion” between the officer and the men dressed in white. The officer was simply trying to turn them away from a rival group in the area, the report said. It also said the force had missed obvious opportunities to intervene, noting they were told of the prospect of violence by a district councillor at noon that day. The IPCC recommended that police review their warning system for potential disorder and their deployment of visible policing, while suggesting improved response times to reassure residents they would be protected. Police clearance operation inside Prince Edward station, August 31 What happened After a day of protests and violent clashes in various parts of the city, police entered Prince Edward MTR at around 10.45pm, where some protesters were locked in a dispute with other passengers. Officers were seen on news footage using batons and pepper spray on protesters, which led to accusations they were deploying excessive force. Police eventually put the station in lockdown and expelled reporters from the site while arrests were made. Lam shelves independent review into what caused Hong Kong protests Within hours, rumours surfaced online that police had killed protesters inside the station – stoked by inconsistencies in the number of injured recorded by the Fire Services Department. The rumours persisted despite multiple attempts by government officials, police, the MTR Corporation and the fire service to quash them. Findings The council concluded it was “well-nigh impossible” to conceal deaths in a public place in Hong Kong. “If people had been killed inside the station, relatives of the deceased would soon report them missing and would come forward to tell the public,” the IPCC said, adding it agreed with the decision to shut down the interchange. Drawing comparisons with the Yuen Long incident, the council said police had failed to respond quickly enough to the allegations and allowed rumours to “fester on the internet”. It also asked the force to review how to facilitate media reporting in such operations, without undermining the police response. Mass protest outside Legco to stop extradition bill’s passage, June 12 What happened In a bid to stop the second reading of the government’s now-withdrawn extradition bill, tens of thousands of people gathered outside the legislature to protest and block access to the building. Clashes between protesters and police guarding Legco broke out in the afternoon and the force declared the gathering a riot at 3.30pm. Police then deployed tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. People attending an authorised rally outside Citic Tower, an office building close to Legco, were also affected by the tear gas. Critics said the ensuing panic could have led to a stampede. Findings The council noted that police had been accused of failing to distinguish between violent and peaceful protesters, while subjecting the latter to unnecessary force. It also said the firing of tear gas at people taking part in an authorised rally outside Citic Tower had attracted public attention, adding the force should review its actions there. “Police should give sufficient time and instructions to the assembly organiser and participants to curtail the assembly and leave the assembly location via a viable escape route,” it said. The authors also said police should have internal guidelines for officers on how to “differentiate rioters from non-rioters”, setting out what level of force should be used in a riot situation. The public should also be informed on what criteria and procedures were involved in police’s declaration of a riot. The storming of Legco, July 1 What happened In parallel to a peaceful march on Hong Kong Island on the anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule in 1997, other protesters gathered outside Legco. Some started ramming a metal cart into one of its entrances at around 1pm, before radical protesters breached another point of entry to storm into the legislature at 6.30pm. Hundreds of police officers stationed inside disappeared from the scene. Hong Kong protests: no systemic problem with policing, but ‘room to improve’ Following the break-in, facilities inside Legco, including in its chamber, were heavily vandalised. The IPCC also revealed that police had considered launching a dispersal operation before Legco was breached, but there was concern that officers could become trapped and that more protesters would head to the area. Findings The council said police deployment on the day was based on a flawed risk assessment. “The IPCC considers that insufficient thought was given to the vulnerability of the building to a successful break-in,” it said. The report found police could have taken preventive action, such as installing stronger protective barriers, to guard the legislature. First mass protest before opening clashes, June 9 What happened The first large-scale demonstration was held against the extradition bill before police and protesters clashed that night in what was the opening salvo of the unrest. Findings Police’s use of force was “not proactive at the outset” and only deployed in the face of violence from some protesters. Management should review how best to “ensure individual officers strictly follow the guidelines on the use of force”, the council said, as it recommended the establishment of a new live monitoring system for processions. Deployment of irritants at MTR stations, August 11 What happened Police fired tear gas into Kwai Fong station and pepper balls inside Tai Koo station, triggering complaints over the deployment of irritants in confined public spaces. Findings “Police tactics in pursuing protesters into MTR stations or other premises, and the choice of using tear gas and less-lethal projectiles in non-outdoor setting should be reviewed,” the council said. It recommended introducing clear guidelines on the deployment of tear gas and pepper balls and practical training for officers on their use. Help us understand what you are interested in so that we can improve SCMP and provide a better experience for you. 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Hong Kong protests: police watchdog reviews six days that changed the course of the unrest

Independent Police Complaints Council study into the force’s handling of the unrest focuses on Yuen Long MTR attack and five other seismic events last summer The Post breaks down what happened during those incidents – and the IPCC’s findings

Independent Police Complaints Council study into the force’s handling of the unrest focuses on Yuen Long MTR attack and five other seismic events last summer

The Post breaks down what happened during those incidents – and the IPCC’s findings