The Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit (ICTU) conducted a large-scale anti-terror drill near the border on Friday. Photographer May James attended.

Photo: May James.

The unit is comprised of officers from six units.

Photo: May James.

Around 250 personnel from the Police Force, Fire Services Department, Customs and Excise Department and Immigration Department took part in the exercise.

Photo: May James.

It came after police said they had halted several homemade bomb plots amid the anti-extradition law protests of recent months.

Photo: May James.

Police Senior Superintendent of the ICTU, Chu Man-lung said that the public should stay vigilant and beware of an emerging “homegrown terrorism” threat.

Photo: May James.

The drill comes during renewed calls to introduce Article 23 legislation, which states that the Hong Kong government must enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the central government. Its legislation failed in 2003 following mass protests.

Photo: May James.

Protests erupted last June over a now-axed extradition bill. They have escalated into sometimes violent displays of dissent against police behaviour, amid calls for democracy and anger over Beijing’s encroachment. Demonstrators are demanding an independent probe into the police conduct, amnesty for those arrested and a halt to the characterisation of protests as “riots.”

Photo: May James.

Photo: May James.

Photo: May James.

Photo: May James.

Photo: May James.

Photo: May James.

Photo: May James.

Photo: May James.

Photo: May James.

Photo: May James.