Police investigate prostitute claims

Police have launched an investigation after three off-duty officers were allegedly arrested with prostitutes during an anti-vice operation on the mainland two weeks ago.

Hong Kong police will seek confirmation from the mainland public security bureau.

The move came after it was revealed that none of the three suspects reported the arrests to the force, a senior police officer said yesterday.

'If confirmed, they will face a disciplinary hearing,' the officer said. Punishment could range from a verbal warning to dismissal.

The inquiry was launched after a Chinese-language newspaper yesterday reported the three were caught with prostitutes by police in Dongguan about two weeks ago. The report claimed that the sergeant and two constables visited prostitutes after drinking with a group of off-duty Hong Kong officers in a karaoke bar on the mainland. They were later released and returned to Hong Kong.

The crackdown was part of clean-up in Guangdong, Macau and Hong Kong ahead of this month's World University Games in Shenzhen. The multisports event for university students, held every two years, is scheduled from August 12 to 23.