Probe into suspicious object found cases in Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok
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Police attach great importance and spare no effort in bringing the culprit(s) to justice in two suspicious object found cases in Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok this (August 14) afternoon.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Suen Kwai-leung said the Force will absolutely not tolerate any acts that violate the rule of law and spoil the peaceful order of society.

In the first case, Police received a report shortly after noon that a cleaner discovered a suspicious object in a flower bed outside the main entrance of a hotel on 64 Mody Road. It was a mobile phone with a charger surrounded by electrical wires.

In the second incident, a report was made by a passer-by at about 2.40pm that a paper bag approximately 1 foot in width and 1.5 feet in height was placed outside 678 Nathan Road.

Police officers took swift actions in response to the two incidents, including cordoning off the vicinity and temporary closure of some roads nearby.

Officers of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau were immediately deployed to the scenes conducted controlled disruption of the two objects and confirmed that they were hoax bombs. Neither explosive nor harmful substance was found. Inside the bag was a threatening note and some powder substance.

"It is believed that both cases were mischief and no explosives or harmful elements were identified in both objects," said Mr Suen.

"Police condemn this kind of act that causes unnecessary panic to the public and appeal to the members of the public not to challenge the rule of law," added Mr Suen.

Police also warn that making a bomb hoax is a serious crime and offenders upon conviction under Section 28 of Public Order Ordinance (Cap. 245) will be liable to a fine of $150,000 and five years' imprisonment on indictment.

A Police spokesman reiterated that Police will make an all-out effort to track down the suspect(s).

"Members of the public are reminded to stay alert of any suspicious object or person and report to the police whenever appropriate," the spokesman added.

Police also appeal to members of the public who might have spotted any person acting suspiciously in the two areas or have any information to offer to contact the investigating officers of Yau Tsim District Crime Squad at 2731 7238 for the Tsim Sha Tsui case and Mong Kok District Crime Squad at 2398 6429 for the Mong Kok case.

Police Report No.2
Issued by PPRB

End/Thursday, August 14, 2008
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