Beijing - The city's police department announced on Thursday that it will begin a special action against illegal hair salons and foot massage shops, especially those engaged in prostitution and other crimes.

The campaign by the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, which will last for 100 days, began in June and will last until Sept 20.

The police have already closed 224 hair salons and foot massage parlors in Beijing for being engaged in prostitution and have arrested 715 arrested since April, the bureau said in a statement on Thursday.

A coordination office has been established with workers from the city's police, industry, health and commerce sectors.

A previous police investigation found that there were 9,500 hair salons and foot massage shops in the capital, of which 3,343 were operating without a license or with outdated licenses, and 432 were found to be fronts for prostitution.

The police have urged citizens to be more careful when renting property to those who plan to use the property to open salons and massage shops, as those who rent places found to be offering illegal services will also be held responsible.

In April last year, Beijing police launched a high-profile crackdown on entertainment venues in Beijing that were fronts for prostitution and drug gangs. High-profile nightclubs, such as the well-known Passion Club, were closed.

However, while the crackdown cleaned up many nightclubs and other entertainment venues the gangs moved their operations to foot massage shops and hair salons.

"We certainly support such a crackdown, but I doubt how effective it will be," said Ray Yang, an office worker in Beijing.

"It's not the first time the police have announced such a campaign, but prostitution still prevails in the city."

China Daily

(China Daily 06/17/2011 page7)