Britain says it is concerned by escalation of violence in Hong Kong

Britain's Foreign Office said on Monday it was concerned about the escalation of violence between protesters and police in Hong Kong and urged both sides to find a way forward. Hong Kong police shot and critically wounded a protester and a man was set on fire on Monday, marking a dramatic escalation in more than five months of often violent pro-democracy unrest in the former British territory.

"Today's events are deeply disturbing. We are seriously concerned by the ongoing violence, and the escalation between protestors and police," a spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement. "Protestors should avoid violence, and the police must not respond disproportionately. All sides need to find a way forward through dialogue."