Hong Kong man arrested on suspicion of damaging decorations for China’s National Day in Sheung Shui
Hong Kong Free Press
A Hong Kong man has been arrested for allegedly damaging decorative lights put up outside the Sheung Shui MTR station to celebrate China’s National Day.
The 51-year-old clerk, surnamed Chiu, was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of five counts of criminal damage, police said on Monday. He was suspected of vandalising the celebratory lights five times between September 15 and Sunday.
Chief Inspector Tam Ching-shan said on Monday that officers from the Home Affairs Department (HAD) had installed decorative lights on a footbridge connecting the Sheung Shui MTR station and the Landmark North shopping mall on September 15.
During four inspections between September 19 and 28, HAD officers found the wire of the lighting had been cut and reported to police.
Police officers saw the man cut the wire with a pair of pliers before fleeing the scene at about 4 pm on Sunday and immediately chased after him.
“We suspect he was letting off his dissatisfaction towards society due to personal reasons,” Tam said in Cantonese, adding that the suspect was not believed to be targeting national symbols in his damage.
The man had been detained pending further investigations, Tam said.
She added the force would ensure National Day celebrations went ahead safely and orderly by making swift enforcement actions.
Tuesday marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and has seen each district adorned with patriotic displays in celebration.
Movie tickets will be half-price and MTR fares for most routes will be 25 per cent off on Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee earlier said, part of a raft of discounts offered to residents on National Day that also included free entrance to the city’s museums and leisure facilities.
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