Hong Kong Police find 'DIY pepper spray' on Yuen Long marchers

Police say they found protesters carrying spray bottles containing what they believe is chilli oil at Sunday's march against mainland traders in Yuen Long. It was the first time activists have been found carrying what police said was "homemade pepper spray".

Meanwhile, a police officer said those arrested at the march on suspicion of assaulting an officer - among them two teens aged 13 and 16 - and obstructing police would likely be charged soon and could face court this morning.

Fewer than five of the 38 people arrested on Sunday were opponents to the march and none were members of any pro-Beijing groups, the officer said.

Disputes escalated on Sunday, with protesters and opponents trading insults and police moving in with pepper spray. Hundreds of marchers took part and the officer estimated about 400 turned up in counter-protest.

Yuen Long deputy district commander Kerry Carew said: "Police discharged 21 bursts of pepper spray … other officers used batons to strike and subdue the protesters."

There was no evidence any groups or triads were involved in the counter-protest, the officer and another police source said.

Only three of the 38 arrested live in Yuen Long. Most were involved in so-called gau wu shopping protests that have been held in Mong Kok since the Occupy site there was cleared in late November, the officer said.