More 'eyes' fight crime in crowds

A police officer stands guard at the China National Convention Center, in Beijing on Nov 6, 2014. [Photo/IC]

Chinese police are making great efforts, including assigning more officers and improving security facilities, to implement requirements of the Ministry of Public Security during the National Day holiday.

Beijing police have covered every corner of the capital with a video surveillance system, according to the Beijing Public Security Bureau.

The complete coverage by the video system during the holiday is part of a move to tighten the capital's security and avoid crimes in crowds.

As the highest-level video surveillance system was launched in downtown Beijing, the Patrol Corps under Beijing's Public Security Bureau also launched a video monitoring system throughout 19 sub-bureaus in districts and counties, as well as in 362 police stations, according to a statement from the bureau.

As part of the effort, the number of surveillance cameras on streets across the city has increased 29 percent year-on-year, the statement said.

The video surveillance system has covered 100 percent of the capital during the holiday, the first time that the system has provided complete coverage in the city since being upgraded in 2012, according to the statement.

Additionally, the police presence has been improved in crowded places such as markets, bus stations and parks, it said.

Police officers are required to pay more attention to crimes that are frequently reported by residents, including robbery and vehicle thefts, the statement said.

"We'll combine reports of residents and records of the systems for study before we take action, ensuring that actions are accurate and timely," an official of the bureau's Patrol Corps said.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 4,300 police officers have been asked to take charge of their local video surveillance systems, according to the bureau. Based on the systems, the police solved more than 1,500 cases, up 22 percent year-on-year, and caught 2,370 suspects, up 5 percent year-on-year, it said.

For example, police in Miyun county detained two men suspected of stealing electronic bikes after officers watched the video systems on Friday.

Police observed via the video surveillance systems three people riding motorcycles around 2 am. The suspects stopped at the gate of a company and, using screwdrivers and saws, began stealing an electronic bike.

Officers at the headquarters passed the information to colleagues on patrol in that area, who quickly arrested two of the suspects at the scene.

Police were seeking the third suspect, and the case was still under investigation.

Security efforts at famous scenic spots in the capital have also been improved, the bureau said, adding that the main offenses during the holiday have involved theft and telecommunication fraud.

According to the capital's tourism committee, a total of 2.07 million travelers visited 180 major scenic spots in the city on Friday, a 12 percent increase year-on-year.

So far, police had detained 23 people suspected of stealing and theft in crowded places.

Zhao Fei, head of the Tianjin Public Security Bureau, required police officers to increase security checks in crowded places and areas where flammable materials are stored.

In Hebei province, officers have been asked to improve checks of chemicals, and more officers have been assigned to the scene of big events, aiming to prevent stampedes.