Police have the duty and the power, conferred by law, to take enforcement action beyond assisting bailiffs to execute court injunctions.
Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen made the statement to the media today, saying that while helping the enforcement of injunctions, if circumstance renders it necessary, Police are duty-bound to discharge their duties to maintain law and order and prevent other criminal activities.
On some arrestees' claims they did not see any bailiffs or were not aware they were enforcing injunctions, Mr Yuen said the court orders have been issued for quite a long time, and bailiffs made announcements at the scene. He believes the court will make its own judgment on the claims.
Saying there are legal channels for people to express their views on constitutional development, Mr Yuen urged protesters not to resort to unlawful means of expression.
