Police, protesters clash overnight

Pro democracy protesters and police came to blows in Hong Kong early Wednesday morning in the worst violence in over the week.

Police were seen using pepper spray on the demonstrators as they tried to clear the crowds. Some were wrestled to the ground and taken away.

The trouble started when protesters blocked the tunnel of a main thoroughfare with concrete slabs. Police stormed in to remove the barricades. Some were seen posing for pictures as they did so.

By Wednesday morning, the trouble had eased, but demonstrators continued to occupy the core zone in front of government headquarters.

Although the number of protesters is down from about 100,000 to just several thousand they remain committed to their demands of full and free elections.

Police had been criticized for using tear gas early on, and seemed to have adopted a more patient approach.

But the actions taken in the early hours Wednesday morning suggest their patience may be wearing thin.