Police Commissioner Raymond Siu said on Sunday that fake news about the police force must be cleared up within two hours to prevent confusion.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Siu said fake news targeting the government and the police force had a huge impact on the 2019 social unrest.

He said it had caught the force unawares, but that it had learnt from this.

Siu said he's confident that fake news can now be clarified within two hours.

He said the police are also doing their best to improve relations with the public.

"Since the 2019 social unrest, we've been trying to reconnect with citizens, especially those who have issues with the police," Siu said.

"We can see improvements... I'm pleased, but we still have to do more."

The police chief added that society should give arrested teenagers another opportunity and hope, but that this requires help from parents, teachers and also social workers.

Asked whether there was still room for protests in Hong Kong following the introduction of the National Security Law in 2020, Siu said the freedom to gather and protest is granted by the Basic Law, but that the risk of each march or demonstration will be assessed before approval.