Police in this south China city have promised to prevent robbery
in which cars and vans are used.
"There are fears that the use of cars and vans in robberies will
increase since the authorities banned motorcycles from plying in
the city proper from January 1 this year. But police will spare no
efforts to prevent such crimes," Wu Sha, director of Guangzhou
Bureau of Public Security, said last week.
Street robberies are still a serious public security problem in
the capital of Guangdong Province, threatening local
residents and tourists alike, Wu told a work conference on the
city's security.
He hinted that more special campaigns would be launched to
prevent and solve robbery cases to ensure a sound social
environment during the lunar new year that falls on February 18
this year.
Guangzhou still has the country's highest crime rate despite
progress being made in law enforcement, Wu said.
Police will crack down especially on robberies that take place
in the city's inner streets and lanes that have fewer police
patrols.
Burglaries too have increased in the past few months because
gangs were forced to give up riding motorcycles, Wu said. But he
said he believes the special anti-crime campaign will bring down
the rate of such cases.
Wu has promised to increase police patrols, too, and posted more
armed policemen and plainclothes officers to prevent robberies and
burglaries.
More attention will be paid to fighting crime in the city's busy
commercial areas, railway stations, bus terminals, major streets
and scenic spots, he said.
(China Daily January 23, 2007)