Hong Kong police have cleared tents and barricades in the Mong Kok area as part of attempts to rein in the disruption caused by the pro-democracy protests.

There were no reports of resistance from any of the demonstrators, some of whom have regrouped nearby.

A similar operation earlier this week sparked outrage after a video emerged of police beating a protester.

Hong Kong's chief executive has said the government could hold new talks with student protesters next week.

The protesters, now mostly students, are angry about China's restrictions on who can stand in Hong Kong's next leadership election in 2017. They have been on the streets for three weeks.

But the BBC's Juliana Liu in Hong Kong says it is difficult to see what would draw student leaders back to the negotiating table, since CY Leung has said there is no chance of China retracting its decision to vet candidates eligible to stand in 2017 elections.

The last time talks were scheduled they were cancelled by Chief Secretary Carrie Lam, who said it was impossible to have constructive dialogue while the occupation of city streets continued.

Protester numbers have dropped off since the start of the month, when tens of thousands were on the streets. But tensions escalated this week, with violent clashes as police cleared an underpass on Lung Wo Road near the chief executive's offices.

The video showing plainclothes police officers beating an unarmed protester, also a member of the opposition Civic Party, sparked outrage, but Mr Leung appeared to dismiss the video, telling reporters "we should not politicise this incident".

Police said seven officers had been suspended pending an investigation into the incident.

Source: BBC