Shijiazhuang deploys armed patrols to maintain security

Since Wednesday, residents in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, have seen daily patrols by public security police officers and members of the Armed Police Force, aiming to deter criminals and protect public security.

Altogether 960 police officers including armed officers will conduct the daily patrols in places that experience crowds of people, such as shopping malls and railway stations, Hebei Daily reported on Thursday.

Each group contains two public security police officers and two members of the Armed Police and patrols take place day and night to guarantee a quick response if an emergency occurs in the capital city of Hebei province, an important protective barrier for Beijing.

In response to terrorist attacks in railway stations in some cities recently, Shijiazhuang has strengthened its patrol force in the railway station since May 10, with teams of 22 soldiers with expandable batons making the rounds from 8 am to 11 pm every day.