Mass protests that have besieged Hong Kong all summer show no signs of foreign influence or interference, according to the city’s police force, signalling a split between Beijing and the police.

The remarks from Hong Kong police directly contradict Beijing’s claims that unidentified foreign forces, deemed “black hands,” are fomenting protests in the city that form the most serious political crisis since the former British colony was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

“From the operational angle, I cannot see that at this stage,” said a senior police official who agreed to speak to foreign media on condition of anonymity, when asked if there were any signs of foreign funding or organising of the protests that have brought millions to the streets.

This was in contrast to the stance stated by the Chinese government on Thursday.

“Foreign forces must stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs,” Liu Xiaoming, China’s ambassador to the UK, said on Thursday. “Stop conniving in violent offences – they should not misjudge the situation and go down the wrong path; otherwise, they will lift the stone only to drop it on their own feet.”