Residents guard against needle attacks

By Ma Lie (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-22 08:53

XI'AN: Video monitoring equipment will be installed on every bus to safeguard local residents and tourists in this ancient capital.

The move is part of a beefed-up security system to stem recent needle attacks in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

More than 30,000 police and about 100,000 civilian guards drawn from the residential population - have been organized into a prevention and control system, said Qian Baiyun, spokesman of the Xi'an public security bureau.

The enhancements come after local police received several reports in the last month that some people were injured with a needle-like bamboo stick.

"Two suspects responsible for the needle attacks have been arrested by local police," Qian said.

"They used a needle-like bamboo stick and an iron nail to injure residents. We did not find any harmful or toxic substances on the stick or the nail," he said.

A special police hotline for reporting needle attacks was also set up in the city to collect information and clues for suspects.

Zhang Chaoding, a retired local worker who took his grandson to play in a crowed downtown square yesterday, told China Daily he still felt at ease.

And Wu Kun, wearing a red armband and walking in the square on duty, said she and some of her colleagues at a local firm became resident guards to help keep the social order.

"We should contribute to making our city safe," Wu said.

Earlier this month, a man named Wang Xing, 26, was arrested after he injured a female college student in the Chang'an district of the city.

"I injured her with a bamboo stick. I didn't know her and it just felt fun to do it," Wang confessed to police after he was arrested.

Local police reminded residents to strengthen their own security precautions and not to believe and or spread rumors about needle attacks.

Those who spread rumors will also be punished, Qian said.

"We have an effective system to prevent and fight the criminals and we are asking local residents and tourists not to panic," Qian said.