Hong Kong protests: bill hits HK$10.5 million for repair or replacement of public facilities damaged over past five months
- Security chief says 460 sets of traffic lights and 40 street lights were vandalised or tampered with, and 45.6km of railings and 2,900 square metres of paving blocks removed
- Leisure venues including public swimming pools, sports centres, sports grounds and parks were temporarily closed on more than 1,900 occasions
The bill for fixing or replacing public facilities damaged by radical protesters over the past five months of unrest in Hong Kong has hit HK$10.5 million (US$1.3 million), the government revealed on Wednesday, while sports and cultural venues were temporarily closed on hundreds of occasions and transport use also affected.
In a written reply to the Legislative Council, Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu said that from June until the end of October, 460 sets of traffic lights and 40 street lights were vandalised or tampered with, and 45.6km of railings along walkways and about 2,900 square metres of paving blocks on footpaths removed. Protesters often remove railings, secure them with cable ties and use them as roadblocks.
“Rioters even set fires wantonly, damaged shops and hurled petrol bombs, posing serious threats to people’s lives and properties.”