LettersHong Kong police: masked thugs or remarkably restrained with violent protesters?

I am writing in response to Ms Helen Lo’s letter (“Do not be blind to violence of police ‘gang’”, November 5). “How can peace be restored when the police continue in this vein?” she asks, and says we should not be blind to their violence.

My response is: how can peace be restored when there is continued violence and vandalism by mobs every weekend in the first instance? The police would like to go home and enjoy time with their families just like every law-abiding citizen. If Ms Lo’s family members or her personal safety and property were in jeopardy, I would like to see how she reacts.

Our Hong Kong Police Force has shown remarkable restraint in the face of violent attacks. If what has occurred on our streets took place in New York City or in the UK, for instance, there would have been far more serious consequences – if not fatal incidents, at least a lot more casualties by now.

Would Ms Lo have any sympathy towards those seriously beaten up for expressing different views and whose property has been vandalised by mobs?