Forensics teams have gathered evidence for what could be a harsh response to the storming of the parliament

At least 27 people have been arrested, some of them children, as police begin what protesters fear will be a harsh response to the storming of the Hong Kong parliament.

Those arrested could be charged with a range of offences after hundreds of protesters smashed their way into the Legislative Council (Legco) building on Monday, sprayed slogans on walls and damaged office equipment.

The complex has been sealed off since Tuesday morning as forensics teams gather evidence, including fingerprints on helmets and metal poles left behind by the protesters.

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“They look like people working on a murder case,” Bonnie Leung, an MP and democracy activist, said. “They’re signalling that there will be mass arrests.” She said that pro-democracy organisations had received many requests for legal