Hong Kong police have arrested eight men on suspicion of taking part in illegal road racing, including a 29-year-old man who allegedly drove what appears to be one of the force’s retired vehicles.

Chief Inspector So Chi-bing of the regional crime unit in Kowloon East said officers arrested the eight men on Thursday after the force investigated media reports and online footage depicting several cars chasing each other and switching lanes at high speed last month.

“In the footage, the force noticed that one of the private cars had blue and red flashing lights and reflective stickers similar to police vehicles. However, its model was different from serving police cars,” So said.

The chief inspector said the force believed the car was a retired vehicle, adding the force would investigate how the 29-year-old male owner came to possess it.

The Post has learned the car was a A6 Audi, manufactured in 2015. The force deploys saloon cars for anti-crime patrols or to carry passengers when needed.

So said the eight men were the owners and drivers of the private cars involved in illegal races between Tsuen Wan and Kowloon Bay.

They were also arrested over driving without third-party insurance. The 29-year-old was further arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and using forged documents on top of the other two offences.