Tourists with stun guns caught unaware at airport
Number arrested for carrying the devices rises as many don't know they are illegal in the city
The number of people arrested for carrying electric stunning devices at Chek Lap Kok airport jumped more than sixfold in the first quarter of the year compared with the same period last year, according to police figures.
The force said many of those stopped were tourists who had brought the devices to the city because they did not know they were banned here and had come from countries where there was no legislation prohibiting possession of the items.
Most said they had brought the devices for self-protection and not for malicious purposes, the force added. The figures show there were 44 such arrests from January to March, up more than six times in the same period last year.
The number of devices seized was 55, because some of those arrested were carrying more than one stun gun.
In the whole of last year, 57 people were arrested and 170 electric stunning devices were seized, compared to only 36 arrests and 66 devices in 2011.
"We have seen a sharp rise recently," said Patrick Kwok Pak-chung, senior superintendent and district commander of the airport district.
"The tourists do not know that the devices are not allowed under Hong Kong law."