THIS was the moment an off-duty cop was dragged from a car and firebombed by Hong Kong protesters in clashes tonight.

Footage shows masked demonstrators hurling petrol bombs at the officer, who is then seen running away from the flames.

The clip emerged as a 14-year-old boy became the second person to be shot by police.

Protests have continued to rage in Hong Kong, with demonstrators fighting a new mask ban attacking Chinese banks, setting street fires and vandalising subway stations.

According to local reports, the officer in the video works for the criminal investigation department.

It's claimed he was in his own car in the city's Yuen Long district around 8pm when the protesters launched their attack, smashing his car windows.

The footage then shows him being dragged from his car and beaten by the activists who then throw a petrol bomb at him.

Meanwhile, a Hong Kong police official said a 14-year-old boy was also shot in the leg during the ongoing demonstrations.

He said it was unclear whether he was hit by a stray bullet or shot by a police officer.

The boy was taken to hospital, where he is said to be in a serious condition.

An 18-year-old student activist was seriously wounded after being shot in the chest with a live bullet by police on Tuesday.

Protests have gripped Hong Kong since June 2019, sparked by highly controversial legislation to extradite those convicted of crimes to mainland China and Taiwan.

'SERIOUS PUBLIC DANGER'

Clashes in the months since have seen police fire rubber bullets, tear gas, and pepper spray at protesters in repeated bids to break up peaceful demonstrations.

The final week of September marked the 16th week for which demonstrators have been on the streets.

Today's clashes came as Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam invoked rarely used emergency laws to ban the wearing of face masks at protests.

Ministers said the law would make it easier to identify and prosecute those taking part in violent protests.

JAIL THREAT

Ms Lam announced the measure at a news conference today, saying her government could not stand by as Hong Kong entered a “state of extensive and serious public danger”.

The text of the emergency anti-mask law said protesters wearing masks faced up to one year in jail. Anyone on the street who refuses to remove a face mask when asked to do so by a police officer could be jailed for six months.

Beijing has reacted furiously to the protests, warning those involved not to "play with fire".

China's military released a threatening video showing them conducting anti-riot drills.

The footage – believed to have been filmed in the region – shows armed troops descending from helicopters and shooting their way through the streets and into people's homes.

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