Police stabbing probe must yield lessons to make city even safer
- Such ‘lone wolf ‘ attacks are an assault on our way of life and cannot be tolerated
Hong Kong cherishes its reputation for safe streets – even more so after pictures of the clashes between police and protesters in 2019 went around the world. It is paramount to its future as a finance, business and tourist hub.
Any attack with a weapon in a busy thoroughfare is anathema to that image.
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Assailant dies after stabbing Hong Kong police officer and then himself on busy street
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said it was a “terrorist” attack. Preliminary investigations showed the assailant was a “lone wolf” but police were still probing his background. They apparently found propaganda material and suicide notes mentioning plots to kill police for the sake of the city.
This raises questions about his state of mind as well as motive.
Security police are bound to redouble their vigilance, especially over social media.
Hong Kong police on high alert after officer stabbing by ‘lone-wolf domestic terrorist’
Fortunately it is an isolated attack. The officer is recovering from serious injuries. The attacker, a 50-year-old purchasing manager, then took his own life.
More details may yet be revealed that could shed light on the exact circumstances of the attack.
The reaction of top officials shows underlying concerns. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the incident went against the stability of society.
Security chief Tang said it was not just the assailant who was responsible. “There are also many people who have … incited hatred toward society and the country.”
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A subdued July 1 handover anniversary as heavy police presence seen on the streets
The attack eluded a massive police security operation with 10,000 officers on a day that usually included a big protest march, banned on public health grounds because of the pandemic.
It showed that without good intelligence, it is difficult to stop such lone wolf attacks. They are an assault on our way of life and cannot be tolerated. Hopefully, the investigation will yield lessons in policing and intelligence gathering that help make the city an even safer place.
