Hong Kong police said rioters have attacked the Sham Shui Po Police Station after a man was arrested for possessing what police are calling "offensive weapons."  

The rioters demanded that the authorities release the man, Tse Chun-chung, chief superintendent of the Hong Kong Police Public Relations Branch, told reporters on Wednesday.

The man was caught with 10 laser pointers, which have been deemed "offensive weapons" by local authorities. 

589 arrested in weeks-long protests

A total of 589 people have been arrested in connection with the weeks-long protests, including 460 males and 129 females aged between 13 and 76. They have been taken in on charges involving rioting and assaulting police officers, said Tse.  

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The latest arrests were made on Tuesday, with nine people taken into custody for possession of offensive weapons. 

During the press briefing, the police also demonstrated how protesters were using laser pointers to stop officers from carrying out their jobs and warned about their severe effects on police officer's work and health.

HK police facing physical, personal attacks

With the protests escalating, Hong Kong police face increasing pressure to maintain peace. Officers have physical been attacked, with some being targeted personally. 

A week ago, two policemen were surrounded and attacked by protesters. 

The violence has even spread to policemen's families as the personal information of over 1,000 police officers was leaked into the public domain. 

According to the Hong Kong police, 139 police officers have been hurt in the recent riots. With the violence continuing, how officers can keep the peace remains a question in Hong Kong.