Police Public Relations Branch Chief Superintendent Steve Hui has called for calm and restraint, saying the disorderly situation in Mong Kok is escalating.
At a press conference today, he said Police had to break up a confrontation between protestors and people helping to remove road blockades to execute a court order.
Since noon yesterday, 14 crime reports have been made involving Mong Kok protest areas, including assault, indecent assault, and possession of dangerous weapons, resulting in the arrest of 11 people.
The cases also include an arson attempt by a man, and a case of bags containing filthy objects being thrown from a height and hitting several people, including a schoolboy.
Mr Hui warned that these are serious crimes that could cause multiple casualties.
As radical protestors and troublemakers are mixing with the crowd, large-scale confrontations may be triggered.
He urged protestors to obey the court order and stop obstructing roads, adding that ignoring the order undermines the rule of law, which can have far-reaching effects on Hong Kong's future.
He also appealed to students to leave the streets in Mong Kong and for people not to bring young children to the area.
