Police fire teargas and pepper spray as Hong Kong protests continue

Riot officers confront crowds gathered in Causeway Bay shopping district

Police have used teargas and pepper spray on thousands of protesters in Hong Kong as demonstrations enter their 17th week in the city's most serious political crisis for decades.

The protest, which was not sanctioned by the police, was scheduled to start at 3pm local time (0800 BST) in the Causeway Bay shopping district, but dozens of riot police began guarding the area hours before. They stopped and searched a number of young people dressed in black.