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Hong Kong police ring of steel planned to deter trouble at July 1 commemoration of 26th anniversary of city’s return to Chinese rule
- More than 6,000 officers to be out on the streets on Saturday in wake of spate of stabbings and to deter potential trouble at events
- Elite squads will be out in force, as well as officers from the Police College and uniformed administrative staff
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More than 6,000 police officers will be deployed around the city on Saturday to guard against trouble as Hong Kong marks the 26th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, the Post has learned.
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Sources familiar with the massive operation said there would be about 1,000 officers more than were mobilised for the 34th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown on June 4.
A police insider said the recent spate of knife attacks was one of the reasons for the show of force, as well as the service’s determination that the July 1 events would run smoothly and peace would be maintained.
In addition to the deployment of elite squads such as the force’s counterterrorism specialists and the airport security unit, he said, training and support staff from the Police College in Wong Chuk Hang would also be out on the streets.
The force has already stepped up patrols across the city after a series of knife attacks this month.
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Marine police officers have been drafted in to help, along with personnel normally desk-bound in stations.
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