A police visit has turned a sedate art exhibition into the talk of the town. Jonathan Thomson - whose artworks featuring nude females have attracted the force's interest because of a single complaint - has suddenly received more publicity than the best-run advertising campaign could generate. The art historian - who is also an artistic consultant to French fashion powerhouse Louis Vuitton - appears more amused than worried. He is right; it's the authorities who should be worried about the way in which they go about enforcing the city's obscenity laws.

Like similar incidents over many years, the police raid has again threatened to make Hong Kong an international laughing stock. The officers have referred the case to the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority, and the Obscene Articles Tribunal will visit the gallery to determine whether the artworks are indecent, obscene or not at all.

The 67 works by Thomson - a former deputy secretary general of the Arts Development Council - may be artistic or erotic. Some might even think them pornographic. But it's a debate best left to art lovers and critics. Police officers do not have the expertise to make such determinations. Since the works are all displayed inside a Mid-Levels art gallery, there is little chance children would wander in to see the provocative nudes. It is puzzling why police should waste manpower to make the visit on the strength of a single complaint. Surely the police have more serious matters to attend to.