Police search Uber offices in Hong Kong and arrest 5 drivers

Police raided the Hong Kong offices of taxi-hailing service Uber on Tuesday and arrested five drivers for the "illegal use of vehicles for hire," police said.

Hong Kong police senior inspector Bruce Hung said undercover police officers used Uber's mobile phone app to hail five cars and arrested the drivers after reaching their destinations. Police say the drivers lacked required hire car permits or third-party insurance, according to Reuters.

Uber responded by standing by its drivers and issuing a call to work with authorities to implement "updated regulations that put the safety and interests of riders and drivers first."

"Uber ensures that all rides are covered by insurance, and all drivers on the platform undergo an extensive background check," Harold Li, Uber spokesman for North Asia, said in an email on Wednesday.

Read more from Reuters.