Guangzhou's police chief blamed the surge in street crime on high temperatures and SARS-induced unemployment in an interview with Guangzhou Daily.

Reports of robbery and pickpocketing have risen since April, said Zhu Shuisheng, director of the Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Street crime tends to peak in summer - wallets, jewellery and mobile phones are easier to detect and steal when people are wearing thinner, lighter clothing. And the economic slump following SARS has left more migrant workers without jobs, Zhu explained.

Police have decided to strengthen street patrols in response to the public's complaints.

All front-line policemen are required to patrol the streets while on duty, and paramilitary soldiers are being deployed to help at night.

Some 30 per cent of the policemen who usually only work in the office will also be sent out as back-up for the front-line officers, Zhu said.

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