Thefts are becoming more prevalent in office buildings in Shanghai's downtown area, the Oriental Morning Post reported. Most of the thieves work inside the buildings.

In 2004, the Huangpu District Procuratorate received 20 cases concerning thefts in office buildings, a rise of 17.6 per cent on the previous year's figure, with the total value involved hitting 236,000 yuan (US$28,537).

The Jing'an District Procuratorate also received 13 such cases, with the total value of stolen goods reaching 260,000 yuan (US$31,440).

"Limited awareness of crime prevention is an important reason for this rise in thefts," said Chen Lisheng with the Huangpu District Procuratorate. He said some enterprises never even lock their doors after the work day finishes. Some enterprises also relied upon dysfunctional anti-theft equipment.

In one office building on Guangdong Lu, a thief called Wang Jing stole three laptops in 2003. In 2004, Wang entered the building twice and stole another four laptops, one mobile and some cash.

"I don't have the habit of locking my desk, I trust my colleagues. But I won't leave treasured articles in the office overnight," said a man identified by surname Xie, working in Westgate Tower on Nanjing Xilu.

Sources said most of thieves themselves work in the buildings. Some are even security staff, while others work for companies renting the offices. Some just pick things up on the sly after being fired.

Electronic products such as laptops, mobiles, digital cameras and fax machines are the main targets for thieves. For victims, the loss is not limited to the machines themselves, but also extends to the information saved on them.

"But when it comes to these invisible losses, people are unable to ask for compensation through any legal channel at present," said a procurator with the Huangpu District Procuratorate.

(Shanghai Star February 20, 2005)