Hong Kong was reeling from fresh violence between protesters and police on Monday as it was reported that the city’s leader, Carrie Lam, had attempted to resign several times in recent weeks over the ongoing unrest.

Ms Lam, appointed by Beijing, has admitted her government’s “total failure” in handling a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed the territory to deport criminal suspects to mainland China for trial.

Public anger at the bill resulted in the worst disorder in decades, including a record protest march last month that had as many as two million participants.

Amid the marches and international criticism of the heavy-handed conduct of police in dealing with protesters, Ms Lam repeatedly offered to step aside, according to a report in the Financial Times, only for Beijing to insist she stays on.

The central government is of the view that “no one else can clean up the mess and no one else wants the job”, according to an unnamed official said to have direct knowledge of the situation.

Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures An anti-extradition bill protester pour water on tear gas as they attend a march in Hong Kong Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police restrain an angry passenger who tried to fight with protesters who interrupted subway services during the morning commute in Hong Kong on July 30 AP Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters face off with police during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters are seen in a stairwell after one is injured by police during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Riot police fire tear gas at protesters during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Two police officers are surrounded by protesters on a subway platform in Hong Kong on July 30 AP Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers form a barricade during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters employ the help of road signs to form a barricade during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A medic is attended to after being injured by police during the latest in a series of demonstrations against the controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong on July 28 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters are seen wearing helmets on a subway train in Hong Kong on July 30 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters smash glass doors and windows of the Legislative Council Complex in Hong Kong. Anti-extradition protesters broke into the the city's legislature and thousands more gathered to march in opposition to the city's China-backed government during the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kongs return to Chinese rule Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police fire tear gas at protesters near the government headquarters AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester defaces the Hong Kong emblem AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters try to break into the Legislative Council of Hong Kong during a protest on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the territory to China from Britain on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Black-clad riot police fired tear gas as they charged anti-government protesters in the early hours of the morning AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A general view of the main chamber after protesters break into the Legislative Council building EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters graffiti the Legislative Council Complex Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police fire tear gas at protesters near the government headquarters in Hong Kong on July 2, 2019. - Riot police fired tear gas as they attempted to dislodge anti-government protesters in the early hours of the morning of July 2 in chaotic scenes in the heart of Hong Kong. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images ANTHONY WALLACE AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Inside the Legislative Council building EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters put up a sign AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Members of the press take pictures of a protest banner that says 'there are no violent people, only violent governance' EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters storm the Legislative Council building during a protest in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester forces their way through a window into the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers look out from behind windows damaged by protesters in the entrance to the Legislative Council in Hong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers stand guard behind the entrance to the Legislative Council in Hong Kong as protesters try to force entry. One officer holds a sign that reads: "Stop charging or we use force" EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters storm the Legislative Council building during a protest in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters wield makeshift shields during a clash with police on the 22nd anniversary of the territory's handover to China from Britain on July 1 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters holding umbrellas face-off against riot police in Hong Kong on July 1 AP Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters smash a window of the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester wielding a makeshift shield looks back at the damage caused to the Legislative Council building in Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters gather to take part in the annual pro-democracy rally that is held in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the handover of the territory from Britain to China on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers use force in an attempt to disperse protesters during a protest in Hong Kong on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the territory from Britain to China on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Anti-extradition bill protesters stand behind a barricade near the Legislative Council of Hong Kong on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Police officers look out from behind windows damaged by protesters in the entrance to the Legislative Council in Hong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters try to break into the Legislative Council of Hong Kong during a protest on the 22nd anniversary of the handover of the territory to China from Britain on July 1 Reuters Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Protesters rest outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on July 1 EPA Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester shouts in front of police outside the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A group of anti-extradition bill protesters holding umbrellas gather outside the government headquarters in Hong Kong on July 1 AFP/Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures A protester waves a black version of the Hong Kong flag outside of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong on July 1 Getty Turbulent protests continue in Hong Kong: In pictures Anti-extradition bill protesters march in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the territory's handover to China on July 1 Reuters

Ms Lam’s resignation has been one of the core demands of the protest movement since the unrest began, but the chief executive has repeatedly insisted she must be given the chance to win back Hong Kongers’ trust. The idea that she is in fact staying in power unwillingly will only make her position more untenable.

Meanwhile, Ms Lam expressed concern for the safety of the city’s police officers after Sunday was marred by yet more clashes with demonstrators.

The protest centred around a shopping complex in the northern Sha Tin district, popular with Chinese visitors, and was peaceful for most of the day until fights broke out when night fell and police started clearing the streets.

Some protesters retreated into the shopping centre where they and police hit each other with clubs and umbrellas.

Ms Lam called the latter group of protesters “rioters”, a legally loaded term in the city, and said she supported the police in upholding law and order.

The chief executive visited a hospital where three police officers injured in the clashes were being treated. “We thank the police officers for maintaining social order loyally and professionally, but they have suffered in attacks from those rioters – they can be called rioters,” she said.

After attempting to strike a note of contrition in the last two weeks, her shift to harder language risks raising tension. More demonstrations are planned for the coming days.

Police Chief Stephen Lo said late on Sunday that more than 40 people were arrested on charges including assaulting police and illegal assembly. The government said 28 people, including 10 police, were injured in the clashes.

Security chief John Lee said the government was concerned at an apparent escalation of violence by activists who threw bricks and iron bars.

“We found that people who attacked the police were very organised ... they are well-planned and there are plans to deliberately do damage and disrupt social stability,” Lee said as he visited the hospital with Lam.

Both pro-democracy legislators and politicians who support China’s central government held news conferences to address the latest violence.

Pro-democracy leader Claudia Mo described the current unrest as “the biggest political and governance crisis Hong Kong has ever faced”.

“The whole of Hong Kong found it difficult to cope,” she said. “We urge once again Carrie Lam to come out and face the people.”

And pro-Beijing politician Starry Lee called on both sides to “come out and establish communication channels”.