Police have fired tear gas to try to disperse a demonstration in Hong Kong as protesters took over streets in three parts of the Asian financial capital, blocking traffic and setting up another night of likely showdowns with riot officers.

Hong Kong riot police fired warning shots during clashes that erupted in the Chinese-ruled city when authorities tried to remove illegal street stalls set up for Lunar New Year celebrations, the worst violence since pro-democracy protests in 2014.

A brazen shoplifter has helped himself to an alligator-leather coat worth nearly HK$1M (€93,900) from a flagship Burberry store in one of Hong Kong’s busiest shopping districts, police said.