IPCC report on police probe set for April

The first report by the Independent Police Complaints Council probing complaints against the force arising from the anti-fugitive bill movement is due to be released next month after the completion of a judicial review into the police watchdog.

The IPCC had wanted to publish the report early this year, but postponed it due to the court case, which will start in the High Court on Tuesday, according to IPCC chairman Anthony Neoh.

Social worker and activist Hendrick Lui Chi-hang applied for a judicial review in December, claiming the IPCC had overstepped its statutory powers by starting a probe into the social movement last year, which triggered large scale conflict between protesters and the police.

The report looked into the complaints regarding five incidents from June to August, including the incident in Yuen Long MTR station on July 21 and Prince Edward station on August 31.

It also included issues concerning the San Uk Ling Holding Centre and the identification of police officers' numbers.

Neoh did not say if the council would investigate other incidents after August, but did say that the report reviewed general police complaints, which were also related to later events including clearance operations at various universities in November.

"But due to the time limit, it is impossible to discuss these new issues in as much detail as the five earlier incidents," Neoh said.

Meanwhile, police said there was a trend of younger offenders being arrested during a recent escalation of violence.

Senior police superintendent of the organized crime and triad bureau Steve Li Kwai-wah said there were also four primary school students arrested since December.

Among the 7,549 arrested, those aged 11-16 picked up from June to August made up 4 percent, but the proportion rose to 18 percent between December and February.

There were 3,091 students arrested throughout the movement or 40.9 percent of the total arrested.

"We are very worried to see students and youngsters being arrested," said Li.

justin.tong@singtaonewscorp.com