Police maintained a heavy presence in and around Victoria Park throughout Saturday, after authorities closed off sections of the park to prevent unauthorised assemblies on the 33rd anniversary of June 4.

Groups of officers stood by in the area, with some conducting patrols together with police dogs. Notices were put up in the area reminding people that groups of over four people are not allowed under anti-pandemic regulations. Around a dozen police cars were parked in the vicinity in the morning.

Officers also set up checkpoints nearby. A number of people, including a man who was carrying flowers, were stopped and searched.

In the evening, officers cordoned off an entrance to the park on Gloucester Road, and urged people in the area to leave.

On Great George Street, officers handcuffed at least two black-clad men and brought them away after a stop and search. Another person was seen being bundled onto a police vehicle on Sugar Street.

Officers also confirmed that an 80-year-old man was earlier arrested in the same area after he was said to have refused to cooperate with a police search and ignored repeated verbal warnings.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department had closed off part of Victoria Park after citing police observations that some people had been using different channels to incite others to join unauthorised rallies there.

The force had warned people not to test their determination to enforce the law on June 4.
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Last updated: 2020-06-04 HKT 23:20