Hong Kong authorities detained a teenage girl Saturday night following an alleged assault involving a box cutter at a busy Diamond Hill shopping mall, leaving another teenager, reportedly her friend, requiring hospital treatment. The incident occurred on the evening of December 7, 2025, when police responded to a report filed by a parent, detailing that his 15-year-old daughter had been attacked earlier that afternoon at Plaza Hollywood located on Lung Poon Street.
Investigation Underway After Disturbance
According to preliminary reports, the father informed law enforcement around 11 p.m. that his daughter had suffered injuries to her hand from a cutting implement—specifically a box cutter—wielded by another girl. The victim, also 15, was transported while conscious to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment related to the physical injuries sustained. Following the initial investigation on site, police officers arrested a female friend of the victim, who is of the same age, on suspicion of “assault occasioning actual bodily harm.” The suspect remains in custody pending further inquiries into the circumstances that led to the confrontation.
The connection between the two teenagers is a crucial focus of the police investigation. It is understood the girls were acquaintances, possibly close friends, before the incident. Authorities are currently exploring the possibility that the conflict originated from an emotional or mental health crisis. Specifically, investigators are examining whether one of the girls may have been attempting self-harm with the blade, and the accompanying friend’s involvement in the struggle led to the eventual criminal liability for assault. This line of inquiry highlights the increasingly complex role mental health challenges play in incidents involving young people.
Addressing Youth Mental Health in Hong Kong
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accessible mental health resources for teenagers facing emotional turmoil in Hong Kong. Adolescence is a period of heightened stress and change, and the community infrastructure must be equipped to support these individuals before crises escalate into violence or self-harm.
Resources for Support:
Anyone experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or depression should seek immediate assistance. Confidential, multilingual support is available through several organizations:
- The Samaritans Hong Kong: Available 24 hours via hotline at 2896 0000.
- The Help Project: Provides free and confidential mental health support; reachable by call or WhatsApp at 2827 2525.
- Ethnic Minority Well-being Centre (Government): Offers free one-on-one counseling services for non-Chinese Hong Kong residents in languages including English, Hindi, Urdu, and Nepalese. Contact 9682 3100 for more information and appointments.
The arrest underscores the reality that emotional disturbances among teenagers can have serious legal and physical consequences. As the investigation progresses, the focus will likely shift toward understanding the underlying pressures faced by these young individuals and ensuring preventative mental health measures are robustly implemented across schools and community centers to safeguard youth well-being.