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Mong Kok riot
Hong KongLaw and Crime

Hong Kong police to set up special team to handle terror attacks and large-scale protests

Deputy Police Commissioner Alfred Chau reveals that measure emerged from review carried out after Mong Kok riot; emergency unit will also be beefed up

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Police have learned lessons from the Mong Kok riot. Photo: Bloomberg
Clifford Lo
Hong Kong police will set up a new 30-member contingency coordination team in two months to boost their capacity in handling major incidents like terror attacks, according to the city’s deputy police chief.
The establishment of the major incident bureau was recommended in the wake of last year’s Mong Kok riot when protesters hurled bricks, started fires and clashed with police, injuring more than 100 officers.
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The new team, to be headed by a senior superintendent, was “necessary” in view of the rising trend of terror attacks and disasters in other places, Deputy Police Commissioner Alfred Chau Kwok-leung said.

“The force has to prepare for danger in time of peace. We must improve adaptability especially in handling major incidents.”

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Chau said the new bureau would be responsible for carrying out coordination work, formulating tactics and strategy and arranging training for frontline officers to enhance their capability and response in handling major incidents like terror attacks, large-scale protests and disasters.

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