Exclusive | Hong Kong police expect first anti-riot vehicle with water cannons to arrive this month
While the first of three vehicles bought in 2016 is set to arrive soon, police say it will not be deployed in time for July 1 rallies because of time needed to properly train officers
The first of three anti-riot vehicles equipped with water cannons will arrive in Hong Kong this month after a two-year wait – but the controversial armoured car will not be deployed during the annual July 1 pro-democracy rally.
A senior police source told the Post on Wednesday that the manufacturer would send experts to train officers for a week in the use of the Mercedes-Benz crowd control vehicle, which boasts 15 high-pressure cannons.
The force also plans to send officers to European countries, including France and Belgium, to learn how to use the equipment from their overseas counterparts.
The anti-riot vehicle, tailor-made in France, gives police a new resource to deal with protesters.
Tender documents show the two roof cannons can fire more than 1,200 litres of water per minute over a distance of 50 metres. Six cameras are installed on each vehicle.