At about 8.30pm tonight (November 17), after setting fire to the flyover connecting the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Hung Hom MTR Station, rioters burnt part of the footbridge near Cheong Wan Road towards Tsim Sha Tsui East. Rioters repeatedly vandalised facilities and hurled bricks and petrol bombs, jeopardising public safety, such behaviors cannot be condoned.
      
     To ensure the safety of everyone in the vicinity of the campus, Police again appeal to all therein to leave immediately through the exit at Block Y of Lee Shau Kee Building in northern direction and obey Police’s instructions. Police are now planning for the next round of operation.

     Since 5pm, a group of rioters have been occupying the vicinity of Nathan Road, Tong Mi Road and Mong Kok Road.  They have built barricades with trash and hurled bricks and petrol bombs at Police officers. Rioters are still having a stand off with the Police. Police have used minimum force necessary to disperse protestors, including the deployment of tear gas.
      
     Police warn protestors to stop all illegal acts immediately.  Police appeal to members of the public to avoid travelling to the area. Residents in the area are reminded to stay tuned to the latest situation and keep windows closed if necessary.
     

     At about 7pm, rioters gathered at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University set fire to the flyover connecting the campus and the Hung Hom MTR station. Multiple explosions were heard.  The flame even dropped to the road under the flyover, threatening the safety of everyone at scene.  Rioters also threw petrol bombs towards police officers on Cheong Wan Road in order to stop Police’s dispersal operation.  Police have in response deployed tear gas to disperse rioters. Rioters are having a standoff with Police at scene.
      
     Police have repeatedly urged members of the public to leave the vicinity of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University immediately. Anyone who enter or stay on the campus and assist rioters in any way will risk committing the offence of “Taking Part in a Riot”.
 

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following message as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     A spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department today (November 17) appealed that the Hong Kong Museum of History is a cultural institution, which aims at offering a place for the public and intellectuals to appreciate artefacts, and to learn about history and culture. Members of the public please treasure the museum and not to cause any damage to it.
 

     In the past hour, rioters continued to confront Police officers and built barricades on the footbridge at Cheong Wan Road to obstruct Police action. In the past half an hour, rioters threw tens of petrol bombs at officers.
      
     The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has repeatedly requested students and staff to leave the campus. Police have also repeatedly urged members of the public to leave immediately and avoid going to the area. Police officers will carry on with the dispersal operation and warn members of the public not to assist rioters in any way or they will risk committing the offence of “Taking Part in a Riot”.
      
     In addition, Police have deployed a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), installed on top of a Unimog, to give warnings to rioters. Using the LRAD is to convey important messages over a long range in a noisy environment. Police stress that the LRAD is a broadcasting system but not a weapon. Unlike what is said in individual media reports, the LRAD does not generate ultra-low frequency which will cause dizziness, nausea or loss of sense of direction. Police clarify that all such rumours are false. Police have strict guidelines and regulations on using the LRAD.