‘Fake Chinese police car’ spotted in Adelaide
A fake Chinese police car spotted in Adelaide during the Hong Kong protests is now under investigation by SA Police — it could carry big fines and a potential jail term.
Police are investigating a fake Chinese police car seen in Adelaide as the Hong Kong protests continue.
There is a suggestion the car, which looks very similar to pictures of police cars stationed in Tiananmen Square, is an attempt to intimidate local pro-democracy protesters.
As Beijing tries to wrest back more control over Hong Kong, violent clashes have broken out and there are reports that Chinese troops are poised to cross the border into the region in armoured vehicles.
There have been regular protests in support of Hong Kong in Australia, including in Rundle Mall yesterday.
“Adelaidean Hongkongers” held the protest to encourage those in Hong Kong, and “to condemn the Hong Kong police for their irresponsible, unreasonable and unlawful acts of violence, as well as the government that is endorsing their behaviours”.
An anonymous source sent The Advertiser a picture of the car parked on Grote St, near Chinatown. It has Chinese symbols on the side, and is painted to look like a Chinese police car.
A South Australian Police spokeswoman said they were aware of the vehicle and “are investigating to see if any offences have been committed”.
“It is an offence to impersonate police and SAPOL urge anyone who feels that any vehicle attempting to intercept them is not a police vehicle to contact police on 131 444 or if they fear for their safety to call Triple Zero (000), to verify the identity of the vehicle or the person,” she said.
Anyone approached by someone who could be impersonating police should stop somewhere they feel safe, keep their doors locked and windows closed, ask for identification, and tell the person they are calling police to check on them.
Impersonating police is punishable by six months in jail or a $2500 fine.
The car’s owner is now speaking with police.
A fake Chinese police car has also been reported in Western Australia.
As the protests continue into their 11th week, there have been reports of police brutality in Hong Kong. In return, the police have accused the protesters of violence. Beijing has suggested the protests were bordering on terrorism, a claim Prime Minister Scott Morrison rejected as he called for calm.
China’s ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, has called the protests “radical, violent and illegal”.
“No responsible government would sit idly by,” he said.