A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Monday urged public security departments across the country to increase vigilance and improve protection of the public before the Lunar New Year holidays next month.

Luo Gan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Committee for Comprehensive Management of Public Security, made the remarks at a meeting to highlight the committee's work this year.

Luo urged Party and government officials to work harder to build up a sound public security management network and work out new methods to combat crimes.

He presented a work report on the reeducation of newly released prisoners, juvenile delinquents and petty criminals as well as management of the migrant population, all major tasks for China's public security departments.

He told public security departments to rely on the public to create a safe social environment and to form of a contingent of professional public security workers within communities.

(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2005)