"It is very worrying that more and more young people today do not obey the law," he said. "Some people instilled distorted truth and incorrect values into the minds of young people, who are inexperienced and immature. These people also glorify and condone violence, inciting young people to do whatever they think is right."

At a recent news conference, the police commissioner strongly criticized the opposition camp for condoning violence and romanticizing illegal behavior as "heroic deeds". The Civic Party's Alvin Yeung Ngok-kiu said having a criminal record would make life more exciting, while Alan Leong Kah-kit of the same party said violence could sometimes solve problems.

While setting goals for 2020, the police earlier said it will target those instigating youngsters and students to use violence via the internet, including those inciting others to commit crime and teaching others how to use gasoline bombs.

Referring to increasing young offenders in the anti-extradition bill saga, Tang said over 7,700 people have been arrested, with 44 percent being young people — 60 percent were tertiary students and the rest were secondary students.

"Everyone must obey the law, or otherwise, society will turn into chaos. You can't rob the bank simply because you have no money," Tang said in rebuttal of the call of Benny Tai Yiu-ting — a ringleader of the illegal "Occupy Central" protest — to "achieve justice by breaking the law".