Hui urged protesters not to prevent officers from doing their jobs, “Otherwise, they will be removed,” he said. “We do not rule out [the possibility of] making arrests,” he added. But he stressed that this was not going to be a clearance of protesters.

“Before a clearance – that is to clear all the protesters – police will give warning in advance so that protests can leave,” he said.

Hui said that, since yesterday, 23 people had been arrested for various charges from public disorder to theft.

He urged protesters in Causeway Bay and Admiralty not to try and reclaim lost protest sites, as police will be ready to take decisive action.

Hui also made a plea to protesters ahead of tomorrow’s Legislative Council meeting: “I urge protesters to create a safe passage so that government officials and Legco members can get to work.”

The superintendent was bombarded with tough questions at today’s press conference. Hui was asked if the internet had been cut off during the day tear gas was fired at Occupy protesters, and his views about a police officer who was spotted wearing a blue ribbon when on duty. Hui said he would need time to seek more further details on the latter.

Hui said police would try their best to maintain order outside Next Media headquarters in Tseung Kwan O – where scores of anti-Occupy protesters have been blocking the entrance to the building, barring the pro-Occupy news outlet from delivering its newpapers.

Senior Superintendent Lee Kwok-chung from the police traffic branch, said that five roads have been reclaimed by police during todays operations, including Queensway and Yee Woo Road.

Eighty three bus routes have resumed their operation, with 48 of them providing cross-tunnel services. But a total of 2.3km of road is still blocked, Lee said.