Police to discuss impact of protests with district councils
Consultations to start before year-end and are aimed at striking better balance between protesters and district residents, says police commissioner
Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung said the force would start consulting district councils on the impact of demonstrations on residents, a move that rally organisers fear will further restrict freedom of assembly.
Tsang rejected suggestions that political considerations were behind the record number of protesters charged last year under the Public Order Ordinance, which carries harsher penalties than other laws commonly used in such situations.
The South China Morning Post reported last Saturday that police laid charges under the tougher ordinance against 45 protesters last year, compared with a total of 39 between 1997 and 2010.
Tsang said police consulted with the Department of Justice before laying charges.
"Why did the figures rise? The simplest answer is there is an increase in illegal behaviour [during protests]," he said.
To strike a better balance between protesters and residents, Tsang said consultations would start within the year, beginning with the Wan Chai District Council because the neighbourhood was often the scene of large demonstrations.