Grenville Cross, former Hong Kong chief prosecutor, said police had shown great restraint with offenses committed against them during weeks-long protests, as police forces come under criticism for using aggressive tactics to break up protests.

Protests in Hong Kong have entered the 11th week, and some radical protesters were seen in clashes with policemen during the protests.

According to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, about 180 police officers have been attacked and injured in the last two months, with their families subject to "intimidation and bullying."

Police only used "minimum force" when they had no choice, the government said on August 18. 

Radical and violent protesters "attacked police officers with offensive weapons, and threw bricks and petrol bombs. Many police stations were attacked or besieged for over 75 times. The police have been handling these illegal acts with tolerance," it said.

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Former chief prosecutor: Hong Kong is earning a 'lawless' reputation

When was asked about the police's responses to the mounting violence during the protests, Cross said he believes the police in Hong Kong have shown great restraint in the way they respond to the offense being committed against them, compared to the police in Western countries.

In dealing with rioters' provocation, Cross said the police had to act to take control of the situation.

"The rioters go out time after time. They attack police stations. They confront police officers sometimes by using baseball bats, attacking them with bricks and metal rods, and even on occasion throwing petrol bombs at them," Cross said.

"The police generally take action when it's absolute necessary. They put up signs when they mobilize, urging the rioters to disperse. Only when the signs are ignored, they finally take action," he went on to say.

Citing the "Yellow Vest" movement, Cross said French police use much excessive force in dealing with protests.

He said police used a great deal of force to contain the "Yellow Vest" movement in France, by using water cannons, plastic bullets and tear gas, and an estimated over 2,000 people were injured and 24 protesters lost their eyesight.

Yet very little coverage was given to it (in the UK), Cross said.

Cross said these rioters tried to represent everything the police do in the worst possible way and to undermine the law and order in Hong Kong.

By putting up advertisements in 13 newspapers all around the world, Cross called it a "deliberate campaign" that undermined the police forces.

"It is a great pity," he said.