Just down the road from where hundreds of protesters are holed up inside Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a huge neon light with the word "peace" lights up the park.

Key points: Protesters and police have been locked in a battle in central Hong Kong

Protesters and police have been locked in a battle in central Hong Kong Protesters had barricaded themselves at Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Protesters had barricaded themselves at Hong Kong Polytechnic University Those trying to leave have been met with tear gas and water cannons

It's ironic — this is staging ground where protesters are planning their next move — how to bust out their besieged friends.

A woman, who only wishes to be known as Kay, said she had many friends inside and feared for what may happen to them.

"Some of the people inside, they're very desperate and some have already written their last words for their family and friends outside, so that's really tragic for us," she told the ABC.

"It's heartbreaking."

Hong Kong's protesters have planned their next moves under this neon peace sign. ( ABC News: Jake Sturmer )

Their answer is to divert police and create more chaos — something this city has had its fair share of over the past few months.

Tonight they're simultaneously at flashpoints on what seems like every street corner in this area.

At one end, a water cannon and tear gas greet protesters.

Water cannons have routinely been deployed to thwart protest activity. ( ABC News: Jake Sturmer )

In return, the officers receive Molotov cocktails and bricks.

Hong Kong's urban form has been utilised by protesters seeking to combat police. ( ABC News: Jake Sturmer )

A protester with a bow and arrow peeks his head around the corner nervously looking for a time to strike.

Archery bows are the latest weapon to be used against Hong Kong police. ( ABC News: Jake Sturmer )

Inch by inch this battle for territory in the streets close to Poly U is becoming more and more tense.

Suddenly there's a mass escape — dozens of protesters holed up inside rappel down from a building.

Waiting scooters pick them up and ferry them away before police have time to respond.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 42 seconds 42 s Students rappelled from a bridge to escape police via a highway flyover.

Later, police allow a few minors to leave. Some with their parents.

All have their IDs recorded — but it's not clear if they will be charged at a later stage.

Outside the campus, just a kilometre away, streets that were paved only hours earlier are sandpits.

Protesters have torn brick pavers from Hong Kong streets to use them as projectiles. ( ABC News: Jake Sturmer )

Protesters have ripped up the pavers to be used as makeshift weapons.

Protesters have set up production lines to break down street pavement bricks to throw at police. ( ABC News: Jake Sturmer )

A human production line passes glass bottles, newspapers and barricades to the front line — anything to assist with keeping police at bay.

Hong Kong protesters have crowdsourced the production of Molotov cocktails. ( ABC News: Jake Sturmer )

The blocked and destroyed roads mean the only way in or out for kilometres is by foot.

It's civil disobedience that's a source of major inconvenience for those trying to get around Hong Kong.

The siege has focused the attention of protesters, uniting them behind a common cause.

But the patience of Hong Kong police seems to be running out.