Crime in the capital of Guangdong province fell by 14 percent in the first quarter from the same period of last year, the local police department said yesterday.

He Jing, deputy director of the Guangzhou public security bureau, said robberies and purse-snatchings, which have long troubled the city, had fallen 32 percent and 26 percent, respectively, from a year ago.

The main reasons were a special campaign launched earlier this year focusing on high-crime neighborhoods, and larger numbers of police and surveillance cameras on the streets, he said.

Police involved in the campaign arrested more than 5,100 suspects and broke up 621 gangs. More than 212,000 video cameras have also been installed, he said.

"We believe the incidence of burglaries could grow, as robbers are pushed off the streets and into the shadows," he said.

Zhong Jianping, who is in charge of public security, said the patrols will be increased in 11 streets and neighborhoods.

Guangzhou resident Su Yinna said she has felt much safer over the past year.

"I no longer feel the need to look over my shoulder in case purse-snatchers are behind me," she said.

A survey released earlier this year found Guangzhou residents' "satisfaction with public security" rose by almost 36 percent, with 87 percent of those surveyed saying they "feel safe".

(China Daily April 11, 2008)